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PRINCETON  •  NEW  JERSEY 


PRESENTED  BY 

Rufus  H.   LeFevre 

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DISCIPLINE 


OF  THE 


UNITED  BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST 


Dayton,   Ohio 
U.  B.  PUBLISHING  HOUSE 

IQOI 


Copyright,  1901 

By  the  United  Brethren  Publishing  House 

Dayton,  Ohio 


CONTENTS. 


PART  I. 
THE  CHURCH. 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.  Origin  of  the  Church,   7 

II.  Confession  of  Faith,    12 

III.  Constitution,     15 

PART  II. 
membership,  government,  and  ministbt. 

IV.  Members,    19 

Reception  of  Members,    19 

Duties  of  Members,    21 

Trial    of    Members,     25 

Transfer  and  Dismissal  of  Members, 27 

V.  Government  of  the  Church,  29 

Classes,    29 

Class-Leaders,    30 

Class-Stewards,    30 

Official    Boards,     31 

Quarterly  Conference,    33 

Annual   Conference,    36 

General  Conference,   38 

General   Church   Treasurer 42 

Old  People's  Home,    42 

VI.  Ministry  of  the  Church,   43 

Exhorters,    43 

Quarterly-Conference  Preachers,   43 

Annual  Conference  Preachers,    45 

Reception       of      Preachers       from       Other 

Churches,    48 

Classification  of  the  Ministry 48 

iii 


IV  CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

VI.  Ministry  of  the  Church,  continued. 

Elders,    49 

Presiding  Elders,    51 

Bishops,    53 

Trial  of  Preachers,    56 

Marriage — Who  May  Solemnize, 57 

Preachers'  Duties  in  General, 58 

VII.  Itinerancy,    60 

Itinerants,    60 

Duties  of  Itinerants,    61 

Preachers'  Salaries,    64 

VIII.  Deaconesses,    66 

In  Local  Churches,    66 

Course  of   Study,    67 

Deaconess  Homes,    68 

IX.  Courses  of  Study,  69 

For   Quarterly-Conference   Preachers,    ....  69 

For   Annual-Conference   Preachers,    70 

German  Course  of  Reading, 72 

Completing   the   Course,    74 

Preparation   for   the   Ministry,    74 

X.  Appeals,   75 

From  the  Decision  of  a  Class,    75 

From  the  Decision  of  a  Quarterly  Confer- 
ence,      75 

Court  of  Appeals,    75 

XI.  Seceding  Members.     Special  Enactment 78 

PART  III. 

MORAL  REFORM. 

XII.  Special  Rules,   79 

Temperance,     79 

Sabbath  Observance, 79 

Slavery, 80 

Secret  Combinations,    80 

Oaths,    80 

War,    81 

Marriage  Relation,    81 


CONTENTS  V 

PART  IV. 

PROPERTY. 
CHAPTER  PAGE 

XIII.  Church-Houses  and   Parsonages,    82 

XIV.  Board  of  Church  Trustees,   86 


PART  V. 

INSTITUTIONS    FOR    CHRISTIAN    INSTRUCTION    AND    TRAINING. 

XV.  Sabbath   Schools 87 

Constitution  of  the  General  Sabbath-School 

Board,    87 

Annual-Conference  Relations  and  Duties, .  .  90 

Organization  of  Sabbath  Schools, 90 

Sabbath  Schools  and  the  Missionary  Work,  91 

Constitution  for  a  Sabbath  School, 92 

XVI.  Young  People's  Christian  Union, 94 

Organization,    94 

Constitution,    95 

Junior   Society — Constitution,    98 

XVII.  Christian  Stewardship  Commission,   102 

PART  Vi. 
benevolent  and  educational  institutions. 

XVIII.  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary 

Society — Constitution,     103 

XIX.  Woman's  Missionary  Association,    109 

Articles  of  Incorporation,    109 

By-Laws,    109 

Branch  Constitution,    Ill 

Local   Constitution,    113 

XX.  Women's  Aid  Society — Constitution,   115 

XXI.  Church-Erection  Society — Constitution,   ...  118 

XXII.  Printing  Establishment  and  Church  Pub- 

lications,      123 

Printing    Establishment,    123 

Church    Publications,     125 


VI 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  PAGE 

XXIII.  Education,    127 

Constitution   of  the  Board  of  Education, .  .  127 

Academies,    130 

Colleges,    131 

Union   Biblical    Seminary,    132 

XXIV.  Historical   Society,    136 

General  Conference  Approval,   136 

Constitution,     136 

PART  VII. 
boundaries. 

XXV.  Bishops'   Districts,    140 

XXVI.  Annual-Conference  Districts,    141 


PART  VIll. 

FORMULAS   AND  FORMS. 

XXVII.  Formulas,  152 

Reception  of  Members,    152 

The  Baptism  of  Adults,    153 

The  Baptism  of  Children,    154 

The  Holy  Communion,    155 

Ordination    of    Elders,    156 

Laying   Corner-Stone,    .  . .  .  = 157 

Church-Dedication,     158 

Marriage    Ceremony,    160 

Marriage  Ceremony  with   Ring,    162 

Burial  of  the   Dead,    164 

The  Lord's  Prayer,    164 

The  Apostles'  Creed,    165 

XXVIII.  Forms,     166 

Certificates  and  Licenses,    166 

Bequests,    168 

Reports,    170 

Index,    173 


DISCIPLINE. 


PART  I. 

The  Church. 
chapter  i. 

Origin  of  the  United  Beetheen  in  Christ. 

In  the  eighteenth  century  it  pleased  the  Lord  our  God  to 
awaken  persons  in  different  parts  of  the  world,  who  should 
raise  up  the  Christian  religion  from  its  fallen  state  and 
preach  the  gospel  of  Christ  crucified  in  its  purity. 

About  the  middle  of  said  century,  the  Lord,  in  mercy, 
remembered  the  Germans  in  America,  who,  living  scat- 
tered in  this  extensive  country,  seldom  had  an  opportunity 
to  hear  the  gospel  of  a  crucified  Saviour  preached  to  them 
in   their  native   language. 

Among  others,  he  raised  up  William  Otterbein  and 
Mabtin  Boehm,  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  and  George 
A.  GuETHiNQ,  in  the  State  of  Maryland,  armed  them  with 
spirit,  grace,  and  strength  to  labor  in  his  neglected  vine- 
yard, and  to  call,  among  the  Germans  in  America,  sinners 
to  repentance.  These  men  obeyed  the  call  of  their  Lord 
and  Master.  Their  labors  were  blessed,  and  they  estab- 
lished in  many  places  excellent  societies  and  led  many 
precious  souls  to  Jesus  Christ.  Their  sphere  of  action 
spread  more  and  more,  so  that  they  found  it  necessary  to 
look  about  for  more  fellow-laborers  to  toil  in  the  vineyard 
of  the   Lord ;   for  the  harvest  was  great  and   the  laborers 


8  DISCIPLINE 

were  few.  The  Lord  called  others,  who  were  willing  to 
devote  their  strength  to  his  service.  Such  persons  were 
accepted  by  one  or  another  of  the  preachers  as  fellow- 
laborers. 

The  number  of  members  in  the  society  in  different  parts 
of  the  country  continued  to  increase  as  time  passed,  and 
the  gracious  work  of  reformation  spread  through  the 
States  of  Pennsylvania,  Maryland,  and  Virginia.  Several 
great  meetings  were  appointed  and  held  annually.  On 
such  occasions  Otterbein  would  hold  particular  conver- 
sations with  the  preachers  then  present,  and  represent  to 
them  the  importance  of  the  ministry  and  the  necessity  of 
their  utmost  endeavors  to  save  souls.  At  one  of  these  meet- 
ings it  was  resolved  to  hold  a  conference  of  all  the  preach- 
ers, in  order  to  consider  in  what  manner  they  might  be 
most  useful. 

The  first  conference  was  held  in  the  city  of  Baltimore, 
Maryland,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1789.  The  following 
preachers  were  present : 

William  Otterbein,  Adam  Lehman, 

Martin  Boehm,  John  Ernst, 

Geo.  a.  Guething,  Henry  Weibner, 

Christian  Newcomer. 

The  second  conference  was  held  in  Paradise  Township, 
York  County,  Pennsylvania,  at  the  house  of  Brother 
John  Spangler,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1791.  The  fol- 
lowing preachers  were  present : 

William  Otterbein,  John  Ernst, 

Martin  Boehm,  J.  G.  Pfrimmek, 

Geo.  a.  Guething,  John  Neidig, 

Christian  Newcomer,  Benedict  Sanders, 

Adam  Lehman. 

After  mature  deliberations  as  to  how  they  might  labor 
most  usefully  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord,  they  again  ap- 
pointed as  fellow-laborers  such  as  they  had  come  to  be- 
lieve had  experienced  true  religion  in  their  souls. 

Meantime,  the  number  of  members  continued  to  increase, 
and  the  preachers  were  obliged  to  appoint  an  annual  con- 
ference, in  order  to  unite  themselves  more  closely  and  to 
labor  more  successfully  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord ;  for 
some  had  been  Presbyterians  or  German  Reformed,  some 
Lutherans,   and   others   Mennonites.      They   accordingly   ap- 


ORIGIN    OF    THE   CHURCH  9 

pointed  a  conference  to  be  held  on  the  25th  of  September, 
1800,  in  Frederick  County,  Maryland,  at  the  house  of 
Brother  E'rederick  Kemp.  The  following  preachers  were 
present : 

WiiiiiiAM  Otterbein,  Christian  Krum, 

Martin  Boehm,  Henry  Krum, 

Geo.  a.  Guething,  John  Hershey, 

Christian  Newcosier,  Jacob  Geisinger, 

Adam  Lehman,  Henry  Boehm, 

Abraham  Troxel,  Dietrich  Aurand, 
J.  G.  Pfrimmer. 

There  they  united  themselves  into  a  society  which  bears 
the  name  "United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  and  elected 
William  Otterbein  and  Martin  Boehm  as  superinten- 
dents, or  bishops,  and  agreed  that  each  of  them  should 
have  liberty  as  to  the  mode  of  baptism,  to  administer  it 
according  to  his  own  convictions. 

From  this  time,  the  society  increasing  still  more  and 
more,  preachers  were  appointed  to  travel  regularly,  as  the 
number  of  preaching-places  could  not  otherwise  be  sup- 
plied. The  work  soon  extended  into  the  States  of  Ohio  and 
Kentu/cky.  It  then  became  necessary  to  appoint  a  con- 
ference in  the  State  of  Ohio,  because  it  was  thought  too 
laborious  for  the  preachers  who  labored  in  those  States 
to  travel  annually  such  a  great  distance  to  conference. 

Meantime,  Martin  Boehm  and  George  A.  Guething 
died,  and  Bishop  Otterbein  desired  that  another  bishop 
should  be  elected,  (because  infirmity  and  old  age  would 
not  permit  him  to  superintend  any  longer,)  who  should 
take  charge  of  the  society,  and  preserve  discipline  and 
order.  It  was  resolved  at  a  former  conference  that  when- 
ever one  of  the  bishops  died  another  should  be  elected  in 
his  place.  Accordingly,  Christian  Newcomer  was  elected 
bishop,  to  take  charge  of  and  superintend  the  concerns  of 
the  society. 

The  want  of  a. book  of  discipline  in  the  society  had  long 
been  deeply  felt.  Partial  attempts  to  provide  one  had  been 
made  at  different  times.  Hence  it  was  resolved,  at  the 
conference  held  in  the  State  of  Ohio,  that  a  General  Con- 
ference should  be  held,  in  order  to  provide  the  same,  in  a 
manner  not  derogatory  to  the  Word  of  God.  The  members 
of  this  conference  were  to  be  elected  from  among  the 
preachers  in   the  different  parts  of  the  country,  by  a  vote 


10  DISCIPLINE 

of  the  society  in  general.    The  following  brethren  were  duly 
elected : 

Christian  Newcomer,  Daniel,  Troyer, 

Abraham  Hiestand,  George  Benedum, 

Andrew  Zbllbr,  Abraham  Troxel,, 

Christian  Bekger,  Henry  G.  Spayth, 

Abraham  Mayer,  I.  Niswander, 

John  Schneider,  Christian  Krum, 

Henry  Kumler,  Jacob  Bowl,us. 

The  conference  convened  on  the  6th  of  June,  1815,  near 
Mt.  Pleasant,  Westmoreland  County,  Pennsylvania.  After 
mature  deliberation,  they  presented  to  their  brethren  a 
Book  of  Discipline,  containing  the  doctrine  and  rules  of 
the  Church,  desiring  that  these,  together  with  the  Word 
of  God,  should  be  strictly  observed,  and  admonishing  the 
membership   in   the  following  manner : 

God  is  a  God  of  order ;  but  where  there  is  no  order  and 
no  church  discipline,  the  spirit  of  love  and  charity  will  be 
lost. 

Therefore,  brethren,  we  beseech  you  to  follow  the  ex- 
ample of  our  Lord,  as  it  is  written,  "Be  kindly  affectioned 
one  to  another  with  brotherly  love ;  in  honor  preferring 
one  another."  Let  the  mind  be  in  you  which  was  in 
Christ,  who  took  upon  him  the  form  of  a  servant,  hum- 
bled himself,  and  became  obedient  unto  death,  even  the 
death  of  the  cross,  that  by  his  grace  we  may  submit  our- 
selves one  to  another  in  the  fear  of  God.  He  who  will  not 
submit  is  in  want  of  humble  love.  Jesus  said,  "Whosoever 
of  you  will  be  the  chiefest,  shall  be  servant  of  all."  "By 
this  shall  all  men  know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have 
love  one  to  another."  "He  that  loveth  not  his  brother 
abideth  in  death."  Let  us  walk  in  newness  of  life,  that 
the  prayer  of  our  Lord  may  be  answered  in  us ;  that  we 
may  be  one  in  him,  and  that  he  may  give  us  the  glory 
which  he  gave  to  his  disciples,  that  we  may  be  one,  even 
as  he  and  the  Father  are  one.  Therefore,  beloved  breth- 
ren, let  us  strive  to  be  like-minded,  having  the  same  love, 
being  of  one  accord,  of  one  mind.  Let  no  one  speak  or 
think  evil  of  his  brother,  but  pray  God  that  he  may  grant 
us  his  spirit,  and  an  earnest  desire  to  lead  a  truly  devoted 
life,  to  the  honor  and  glory  of  his  holy  name.     Amen. 

Editors'  Note.— The  foregoing  account  of  the  origin  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ  appeared  in  the 
Discipline  of  1815,  the  first  Discipline  published.    Only  the  slight- 


ORIGIN    OF   THE   CHURCH  11 

est  changes  in  phraseology,  as  the  years  have  passed,  have  been 
made.  The  place  of  the  Conference  of  1800,  given  as  Frederick 
Kemp's,  is  the  same  as  the  residence  of  Peter  Kemp,  as  in  the  re- 
cently published  history  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  the 
two  men  being  father  and  son,  and  the  farm  passing  from  the 
possession  of  one  to  that  of  the  other.  The  present  Discipline 
contains  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Constitution  as  amended 
according  to  the  action  of  the  General  Conference  of  1885,  and 
approved  and  confirmed  by  the  General  Conference  of  1889.  The 
Confession  of  Faith  appeared  in  its  first  printed  form  in  1815. 
The  Constitution,  in  its  earlier  form,  was  adopted  in  1841. 


CHAPTER   II. 

Confession  of  Faith. 

In   the  name  of  God,  we  declare  and  confess  before  all 
men  the  following  articles  of  our  belief : 

ARTICLE   I. 

Of   God   and   the   Holy   Trinity. 
We  believe  in  the  only  true  God,   the  Father,  the   Son, 
and  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  these  three  are  one — the  Father 
in   the   Son,   the   Son   in   the   Father,    and   the   Holy   Ghost 
equal  in  essence  or  being  with  the  Father  and  the  Son. 

ARTICLE    II. 

Of  Creation  and  Providence. 
We  believe  that  this  triune  God  created  the  heavens  and 
the  earth,  and  all  that  in  them  is,  visible  and  invisible; 
that  he  sustains,  protects,  and  governs  these,  with  gra- 
cious regard  for  the  welfare  of  man,  to  the  glory  of  his 
name. 

ARTICLE    III. 

Of  Jesus  Christ. 
We  believe  in  Jesus  Christ ;  that  he  is  very  God  and 
man ;  that  he  became  incarnate  by  the  power  of  the  Holy 
Ghost  and  was  born  of  the  Virgin  Mary ;  that  he  is  the 
Saviour  and  Mediator  of  the  whole  human  race,  if  they 
with  full  faith  accept  the  grace  proffered  in  Jesus ;  that 
this  Jesus  suffered  and  died  on  the  cross  for  us,  was  bur- 
ied, rose  again  on  the  third  day,  ascended  into  heaven, 
and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand  of  God,  to  intercede  for  us; 
and  that  he  will  come  again  at  the  last  day  to  judge  the 
living  and  the  dead. 

ARTICLE     IV. 

Of  the  Holy  Ghost. 
We  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost;   that  he  is  equal   in  be- 
ing with   the   Father  and  the   Son;    that  he  convinces   the 

12 


CONFESSION   OF    FAITH  13 

world  of  sin,   of  righteousness,   and  of  judgment ;   that   he 
comforts  the  faithful  and  guides  them  into  all  truth. 

ABTICLE   V. 

Of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

We  believe  that  the  Holy  Bible,  Old  and  New  Testa- 
ments, is  the  word  of  God ;  that  it  reveals  the  only  true 
way  to  our  salvation ;  that  every  true  Christian  is  bound 
to  acknowledge  and  receive  it  by  the  help  of  the  Spirit  of 
God  as  the  only  rule  and  guide  in  faith  and  practice. 

ABTICLE    VI. 

Of  the  Church. 

We  believe  in  a  holy  Christian  church,  composed  of  true 
believers,  in  which  the  word  of  God  is  preached  by  men 
divinely  called,  and  the  ordinances  are  duly  administered ; 
that  this  divine  institution  is  for  the  maintenance  of  wor- 
ship, for  the  edification  of  believers,  and  the  conversion  of 
the  world  to  Christ. 

ARTICLE    VTI. 

Of   the   Sacraments. 

We  believe  that  the  sacraments,  Baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  are  to  be  used  in  the  Church,  and  should  be  prac- 
ticed by  all  Christians ;  but  the  mode  of  baptism  and  the 
manner  of  observing  the  Lord's  Supper  are  always  to  be 
left  to  the  judgment  and  understanding  of  each  individual. 
Also,  the  baptism  of  children  shall  be  left  to  the  judg- 
ment  of   believing   parents. 


The  example  of  the  washing  of  feet  is  to  be  left  to  the 
judgment  of  each  one,  to  practice  or  not. 

ARTICLE    VIII. 

Of  Depravity. 

We  believe  that  man  is  fallen  from  original  righteous- 
ness, and,  apart  from  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is  inclined  to 
evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  continually ;  and  that  except 
a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 


14  DISCIPLINE 

AETICLE    IX. 

Of  Justification. 
We    believe    that    penitent    sinners    are    justified    before 
God  only   by  faith   in  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,   and  not  by 
works ;    yet   that  good   works   in    Christ   are   acceptable   to 
God,  and  spring  out  of  a  true  and  living  faith. 

AETICLE  X. 
Of  Regeneration  and  Adoption. 
We  believe  that  regeneration  is  the  renewal  of  the  heart 
of  man  after  the  image  of  God,  through  the  word,  by  the 
act  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  by  which  the  believer  receives  the 
spirit  of  adoption  and  is  enabled  to  serve  God  with  the 
will  and  the  affections. 

AETICLE     XI. 

Of  Sanctification. 
We  believe  that  sanctification  is  the  work  of  God's 
grace,  through  the  word  and  the  Spirit,  by  which  those 
who  have  been  born  again  are  separated  in  their  acts, 
words,  and  thoughts  from  sin,  and  are  enabled  to  live 
unto  God,  and  to  follow  holiness,  without  which  no  man 
shall  see  the  Lord. 

AETICLE    XIL 

Of  the  Christian  Sahhath. 
We  believe  that  the  Christian  Sabbath  is  divinely  ap- 
pointed ;  that  it  is  commemorative  of  our  Lord's  resurrec- 
tion from  the  grave,  and  is  an  emblem  of  our  eternal  rest ; 
that  it  is  essential  to  the  welfare  of  the  civil  community, 
and  to  the  permanence  and  growth  of  the  Christian 
church,  and  that  it  should  be  reverently  observed  as  a  day 
of  holy  rest  and  of  social  and  public  worship. 

ARTICLE  xni. 

Of  the  Future  State. 

We  believe   in  the  resurrection  of  the  dead ;   the   future 

general    judgment ;    and    an    eternal    state    of    rewards,    in 

which  the  righteous  dwell  in  endless  life,  and  the  wicked  in 

endless  punishment. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Constitution. 

In  the  name  of  God,  we,  the  members  of  the  Church  or 
THE  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  for  the  work  of  the 
ministry,  for  the  edifying  of  the  body  of  Christ,  for  the 
more  speedy  and  effectual  spread  of  the  gospel,  and  in 
order  to  produce  and  secure  uniformity  in  faith  and  prac- 
tice, to  define  the  powers  and  business  of  the  General  Con- 
ference as  recognized  by  this  Church,  and  to  preserve  in- 
violate the  popular  will  of  the  membership  of  the  Church, 
do  ordain  this  Constitution  : 

ARTICLE    I. 

Section  1.  All  ecclesiastical  power  herein  granted,  to 
enact  or  repeal  any  rule  or  rules  of  discipline,  is  vested  in 
a  General  Conference,  which  shall  consist  of  elders  and 
laymen  elected  in  each  annual-conference  district  through- 
out the  Church.  The  number  and  ratio  of  elders  and  lay- 
men, and  the  mode  of  their  election,  shall  be  determined 
by  the  General  Conference. 

Provided,  however,  That  such  elders  shall  have  stood  as 
elders  in  the  conferences  which  they  are  to  represent  for 
no  less  time  than  three  years  next  preceding  the  meeting 
of  the  General  Conference  to  which  they  are  elected ;  and 
that  such  laymen  shall  be  not  less  than  twenty-five  years 
of  age,  and  shall  have  been  members  of  the  Church  six 
years,  and  members  in  the  conference  districts  which  they 
are  to  represent  at  least  three  years  next  preceding  the 
meeting  of  the  General  Conference  to  which  they  are 
elected. 

Sec.  2.  The  General  Conference  shall  convene  every  four 
years,  and  a  majority  of  the  whole  number  of  delegates 
elected  shall  constitute   a  quorum. 

Sec.  3.  The  ministerial  and  lay  delegates  shall  delib- 
erate and  vote  together  as  one  body  ;  but  the  General  Con- 

15 


16  DISCIPLINE 

ference  shall  have  power  to  provide  for  a  vote  by  separate 
orders  whenever  it  deems  it  best  to  do  so ;  and  in  such 
cases  the  concurrent  vote  of  both  orders  shall  be  necessary 
to  complete  an  action. 

Sec.  4.  The  General  Conference  shall,  at  each  session, 
elect  bishops  from  among  the  elders  throughout  the  Church 
who  have  stood  six  years  in  that  capacity. 

Sec.  5.  The  bishops  shall  be  members  ex  officio  and 
presiding  officers  of  the  General  Conference ;  but  in  case 
no  bishop  be  present,  the  Conference  shall  choose  a  presi- 
dent pro  tern. 

Sec.  6.  The  General  Conference  shall  determine  the 
number  and  boundaries  of  the  annual  conferences. 

Sec.  7.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
review  the  records  of  the  annual  conferences  and  see  that 
the  business  of  each  annual  conference  is  done  strictly  in 
accordance  with  the  Discipline,  and  approve  or  annul,  as 
the  case  may  require. 

Sec.  8.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  full  control 
of  the  United  Brethren  Printing  Establishment,  the  Home, 
Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  the  Church- 
Erection  Society,  the  General  Sabbath-School  Board,  the 
Board  of  Education,  and  Union  Biblical  Seminary.  It 
shall  also  have  power  to  establish  and  manage  any  other 
organization  or  institution  within  the  Church  which  it 
may  deem  helpful  in  the  work  of  evangelization. 

Sec.  9.  The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to 
establish  a  court  of  appeals. 

Sec.  10.  The  General  Conference  may — two-thirds  of 
the  members  elected  thereto  concurring — propose  changes 
in,  or  additions  to,  the  Confession  of  Faith  ;  provided,  that 
the  concurrence  of  three-fourths  of  the  annual  conferences 
shall  be  necessary  to  their  final  ratification. 

ARTICLE     II. 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power,  as  provided 
in  Article  I.,  Section  1,  of  this  Constitution,  to  make  rules 
and  regulations  for  the  Church ;  nevertheless,  it  shall  be 
subject  to  the  following  limitations  and  restrictions : 

Section  1.  The  General  Conference  shall  enact  no  rule 
or  ordinance  which  will  change  or  destroy  the  Confession 
of  Faith,  and  shall  establish  no  standard  of  doctrine  con- 
trary to  the  Confession  of  Faith. 


CONSTITUTION  17 

Sec.    2.  The    General    Conference    shall    enact    no    rule 

which  will  destroy  the  itinerant  plan. 

Sec.    3.  The    General    Conference    shall    enact    no    rule 

which  will  deprive  local  preachers  of  their  votes  in  the  an- 
nual conferences  to  which  they  severally  belong. 

Sec.    4.  The    General    Conference    shall    enact    no    rule 

which  will  abolish  the  right  of  appeal. 

ARTICLE    ni. 

Section  1.  We  declare  that  all  secret  combinations 
which  infringe  upon  the  rights  of  those  outside  their  or- 
ganization, and  whose  principles  and  practices  are  injuri- 
ous to  the  Christian  character  of  their  members,  are  con- 
trary to  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  Christians  ought  to 
have  no  connection  with  them. 

The  General  Conference  shall  have  power  to  enact  such 
rules  of  discipline  with  respect  to  such  combinations  as  in 
its  judgment  it  may  deem  proper. 

Sec.  2.  '  We  declare  that  human  slavery  is  a  violation 
of  human  rights,  and  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God.  It  shall 
therefore  in  no  wise  be  tolerated  among  us. 

ARTICLE    IV. 

The  right,  title,  interest,  and  claim  of  all  property,  both 
real  and  personal,  of  whatever  name  or  description,  ob- 
tained by  purchase  or  otherwise,  by  any  person  or  per- 
sons, for  the  use,  benefit,  and  behoof  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  are  hereby  fully  recognized, 
and  held  to  vest  in  the  Church  aforesaid. 

ARTICLE   V. 

Section  1.  Amendments  to  this  Constitution  may  be 
proposed  by  any  General  Conference, — two-thirds  of  the 
members  elected  thereto  concurring, — which  amendments 
shall  be  submitted  to  a  vote  of  the  membership  throughout 
the  Church,  under  regulations  authorized  by  said  confer- 
ence. 

A  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast  upon  any  submitted 
amendment  shall  be  necessary  to  its  final  ratification. 

Sec.  2.  The  foregoing  amended  Constitution  shall  be 
in  force  from  and  after  the  first  Monday  after  the  second 


18  DISCIPLINE 


Thursday  of  May,  1899,  upon  official  proclamation  there- 
of by  the  Board  of  Bishops;  provided,  that  the  General 
Conference  elected  for  1889  shall  be  the  lawful  legislative 
body  under  the  amended  Constitution,  with  full  power,  un- 
til its  final  adjournment,  to  enact  such  rules  as  this 
amended   Constitution   authorizes. 


PART  II. 

Membership,  Government,  and  Ministry. 
chapter  iv. 

Members. 

Section  I, 

receptiojST  of  members. 

1.  When  at  any  meeting  there  are  persons  who  desire 
to  unite  with  the  Church,  the  officiating  minister  shall 
call  the  applicants  forward  and  address  them  as  follows : 

Dear  Friends  :  Inasmuch  as  you  present  yourselves  for 
admission  into  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  we  rejoice  with  you  that  through  the  grace  of  God 
you  have  been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and 
have  been  made  partakers  of  his  great  salvation.  The 
privileges  you  seek  are  above  price,  and  the  duties  enjoined 
are  solemn.  It  is  proper  that  you  publicly  confess  your 
faith  and  avow  your  purpose  by  answering  the  following 
questions : 

Questions   to  Applicants. 

2.  (1)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God, 
and  that  therein  only  is  contained  the  knowledge  of  the 
way  of  salvation?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do  so  believe." 

(2)  Have  you  experienced  the  pardon  of  your  sins,  and 
have  you  now  peace  with  God?  If  so,  answer,  "I  trust  I 
have." 

(3)  Are  you  determined  by  the  grace  of  God  to  follow 
Christ,  renouncing  the  world  and  all  ungodliness,  seeking 
to  lead  a  life  of  holiness  and  devotion  to  God  and  his 
cause?  If  so,  answer,  "I  am,  the  grace  of  God  helping 
me." 

(4)  Are    you    willing    to    be    governed    by    our    Church 


20  DISCIPLINE 

Discipline,  and  will  you  contribute  to  the  support  of  the 
gospel  as  God  prospers  you?     If  so,  answer,  "Yes." 

(5)     Have  you  been  baptized? 

[If  the  answer  to  this  question  be  in  the  negative,  then 
the  applicant  shall  be  instructed  to  attend  to  the  duty  as 
soon  as  practicable.] 

Acceptance  of  Applicants. 

3.  If  the  persons  answer  the  above  questions  in  the 
affirmative,  and  no  lawful  objections  be  made  by  any  mem- 
ber, then  the  preacher  shall  give  his  right  hand  to  such 
persons  as  members  of  our  Church,  and  record  their  names 
on  the  church  book ;  provided,  however,  that  where  a  local 
church  deems  it  advisable  for  its  protection  against  im- 
position, a  committee  may  be  appointed,  who,  together  with 
the  pastor,  may  make  inquiry  as  to  the  advisability  of  ad- 
mitting such  applicants  to  membership  in  the  Church  ac- 
cording to   the  foregoing  requirements. 

Receiving    Persons    from    Other    Churches. 

4.  When  persons  come  to  us  with  certificates  of  good 
standing  in  other  recognized  evangelical  churches,  they 
shall  answer  the  fourth  question  affirmatively,  and  the  hand 
of  fellowship  may  be  given  them  as  in  other  cases. 

Seekers. 

5.  Any  persons  giving  evidence  that  they  are  sincerely 
seeking  the  Lord,  may  be  received  under  the  watch-care  of 
the  Church  by  having  their  names  placed  upon  the  church 
book,  but  shall  not  be  reported  as  members,  nor  shall  they 
have  a  vote  in  the  Church  until  they  shall  have  conformed 
to  the  conditions  in  this  section  relating  to  the  reception 
of  members. 

6.  If  any  person  thus  received  under  the  watch-care  of 
the  Church  shall  cease  to  manifest  a  desire  to  seek  the 
Lord,  the  preacher  in  charge,  by  the  consent  of  the  local 
church  or  the  official  board,  may,  at  any  time,  after  per- 
sonal but  unsuccessful  labor  for  his  salvation,  drop  the 
name  of  such  seeker. 

Preacher^s  Responsibility. 

7.  Any  preacher  refusing  or  neglecting  to  ask  the  fore- 
going questions,  except  in  the  case  of  children,  or  who  shall 


MEMBERS  21 

receive  members  into  the  Church  in  violation  of  this  order, 
shall  be  answerable  for  the  same  to  the  conference  of 
which  he  is  a  member. 

Section   II. 

DUTIES    OF    MEMBERS. 

Confession, 

1.  All  members  of  this  Church  shall  acknowledge  and 
confess  that  they  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God ; 
that  they  will  henceforth  strive,  with  all  their  hearts,  to 
seek  their  eternal  welfare  in  Christ  Jesus,  and  work  out 
their  salvation  with  fear  and  trembling,  to  the  end  that 
they  may  be  able  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come. 

Means  of  Grace. 

2.  Every  member  shall  endeavor  to  lead  a  godly  life ; 
observe  the  ordinances  of  God's  house,  namely,  baptism  and 
the  remembrance  of  the  sufferings  and  death  of  our  Lord 
Jesus  Christ ;  be  diligent  in  prayer,  particularly  in  private, 
and  for  his  own  edification  attend,  when  practicable,  all 
our  prayer-  and  class-meetings,  and  meetings  for  public 
worship. 

Family  Piety. 

3.  Heads  of  families  should  never  omit  to  pray  with 
their  families,  morning  and  evening,  and  to  set  them  a 
good  example  in  all  the  Christian  virtues. 

Singing. 

4.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  the  people  of  God  to  sing  his 
praises,  and  to  sing  them  in  the  great  congregation  as  well 
as  in  the  private  circle.  It  is  therefore  earnestly  advised 
that  all  our  people  cultivate  vocal  music,  so  that  the  sing- 
ing in  our  congregations  may  be  improved.  As  a  help  to 
this  end,  let  all  our  people  provide  themselves  with  hymn- 
books  for  use  in  public  and  social  worship. 

Love  to  Others. 

5.  Every  one  should  strive  to  walk  as  in  the  presence 
of  God,  and  accustom  himself  to  a  close  communion  with 
God  in  all  his  employments.     He  should  never  speak  evil 


22  DISCIPLINE 

of  his  fellow-men,  but  practice  love  toward  friend  and  foe, 
do  good  to  the  poor,  and  endeavor  to  be  a  follower  of  Jesus 
Christ  indeed. 

Sahhath  Observance. 

6.  Every  one  shall  keep  the  Sabbath  day  holy,  as  re- 
quired in  the  Word  of  God ;  neither  buy  nor  sell,  but  spend 
the  same  in  exercises  of  devotion,  in  reading  and  hearing 
the  Word  of  God,  and  in  singing  spiritual  hymns  to  the 
honor  and  glory  of  God. 

Obedience  to   Government. 

7.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  member  to  lead  a  quiet, 
peaceable,  and  godly  life  among  men ;  as  it  becomes  a 
Christian  to  live  in  peace,  and  be  subject  to  the  higher  or 
ruling  powers,  as  the  Word  of  God  requires. 

Sabbath   Schools. 

8.  It  is  the  duty  of  our  members  to  encourage  our  Sab- 
bath schools  by  their  presence,  when  practicable,  and  al- 
ways to  give  them  their  aid  and  influence. 

Young   People^s   Society. 

9.  It  is  the  duty  of  the  young  members  of  the  Church, 
when  possible,  to  join  the  Young  People's  society,  and  by 
faithfulness  to  its  requirements  seek  to  develop  Christian- 
character   and   efficiency    in    Christian   work. 

Support   of   the    Gospel. 

10.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  members  of  the  Church  to  pay 
toward  the  support  of  the  itinerant  ministry,  quarterly,  or 
oftener,  in  proportion  to  their  ability,  as  God  has  prospered 
them ;  for  the  Lord  hath  ordained  that  they  who  preach 
the  gospel  shall  live  of  the  gospel.  (I.  Cor.  9:14;  I.  Tim. 
5 :  18. )  It  is  earnestly  urged  that  all  our  people  practice 
the  Bible  method  of  weekly  contributions.  "Upon  the  first 
day  of  the  week  let  every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store, 
as  God  hath  prospered  him"   (I.  Cor,  16:2). 

Delinquent  Members. 

11.  Any  member  refusing  to  pay  toward  the  support  of 
the  Church,  if  able  to  do  so,  shall  be  reported  by  the  stew- 
ard to  the  class,  or  official  board,  and  if  refusal  is  persisted 


MEMBERS  ^  23 

in,  shall  be  suspended  or  expelled,  as  the  class,  or  oflBcial 
board,  may  determine. 

Support    of    General   Interests. 

12.  It  is  also  the  duty  of  all  our  members  to  contribute, 
according  to  their  ability,  to  the  support  of  the  various 
benevolent  interests  of  the  Church. 

Receiving  Ministers. 

13.  It  is  the  duty  of  all  districts,  stations,  circuits,  and 
missions  to  cheerfully  receive  the  preachers  appointed  by 
the  stationing  committees  of  the  respective  annual  con- 
ferences. 

Care  of  the  Poor. 

14.  Each  member  of  our  Church  should  vrillingly  and 
freely  contribute  quarterly,  or  oftener  if  need  be,  as  God 
has  prospered  him  (I.  Cor.  16:2),  to  the  support  of  the 
helpless    poor. 

15.  When  it  is  known  by  any  of  our  class-leaders  that 
there  are  poor  members  of  the  class,  who  by  sickness,  ac- 
cident, or  other  unavoidable  circumstances,  have  been 
brought  to  want,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  leader  in  charge 
to  wait  upon  the  class,  or  to  appoint  some  one  to  do  so,  to 
ask  such  aid,  money,  clothing,  or  produce,  as  the  circum- 
stances may  require.  Should  any  one  class  be  unable  to 
relieve  its  poor,  this  shall  then  be  made  known  to  the  pas- 
tor, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  inform  the  different  classes 
on  his  charge ;  and  if  it  should  so  happen  that  any  one 
charge  should  be  unable  to  meet  the  wants  of  the  poor,  it 
shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  elder  to  present  the  mat- 
ter to  the  quarterly  conferences  of  the '  different  charges, 
so  that  the  unavoidably  poor  of  our  Church  may  be  pro- 
vided for.      (I.  John  3 :  17  ;  Ps.  12:  1,  2.) 

Nonconformity  to   the   World. 

16.  Inasmuch  as  the  Lord  has  commanded  us  not  to  be 
conformed  to  this  world  (Rom.  12:2),  to  lay  apart  all 
filthiness  and  superfluity  of  naughtiness  (Jas.  1:21),  and 
as  the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  as  taught  by 
both  the  precepts  and  example  of  the  meek  and  adorable 
Saviour,  are  in  strict  and  perfect  accordance  with  these 
commandments,  we  therefore  hnmbly  beseech  and  admonish 


24  DISCIPLINE 

the  members  of  our  Church  to  observe  these  divine  precepts. 
"In  like  manner,  also,  that  women  adorn  themselves  in 
modest  apparel,  with  shamefacedness  and  sobriety ;  not 
with  broided  hair,  or  gold,  or  pearls,  or  costly  array ; 
but  (which  becometh  women  professing  godliness)  with 
good  works"  (I.  Tim.  2:9,  10)  ;  and  "whose  adorning  let 
it  not  be  that  outward  adorning  of  plaiting  the  hair,  and 
of  wearing  of  gold,  or  of  putting  on  of  apparel ;  but  let  it 
be  the  hidden  man  of  the  heart,  in  that  which  is  not  cor- 
ruptible, even  the  ornament  of  a  meek  and  quiet  spirit, 
which  is  in  the  sight  of  God  of  great  price"  (I.  Pet.  3: 
3,  4). 

Necessity  of  Union  Among  Ourselves. 

17.  Let  us  be  deeply  sensible  of  the  evil  of  a  division  in 
principle,  spirit,  or  practice,  and  of  its  dreadful  conse- 
quences to  ourselves  and  others.  If  we  are  united,  what 
can  stand  before  us?  If  we  are  divided,  we  shall  injure 
ourselves,  the  work  of  God,  and  the  souls  of  men.  To  this 
end : 

(1)  Let  us  be  deeply  convinced  of  the  absolute  ne- 
cessity of  union. 

(2)  Let  us  pray  earnestly  for  one  another,  and  speak 
truly  and  freely  to  one  another. 

(3)  When  we  meet,  let  us  never  part  without  prayer, 
if  prayer  is  at  all  practicable. 

(4)  Let  us  take  great  care  not  to  despise  one  another's 
gifts. 

(5)  Let  us  never  speak  lightly  of  one  another. 

(6)  Let  us  defend  one  another's  character  in  every- 
thing, as  far  as  is  consistent  with  truth. 

(7)  Let  us  labor  in  honor,  each  preferring  another  be- 
fore  himself. 

(8)  Let  us  seriously  examine  the  causes,  evils,  and 
cures  of  heart  and  church   divisions. 

Duty   of   Otedience. 

18.  The  foregoing  rules  are  drawn  up  for  the  better 
regulation  of  our  Church  ;  and  we  believe  they  are  founded 
upon  the  Word  of  God,  and  that  their  observance  is  incum- 
bent upon  all  members.  Should  any  violate  or  habitually 
neglect  these  rules,  they  shall  be.  by  their  respective  class- 
leaders,    admonished    to    reformation ;    and    should    they   not 


MEMBERS  25 

reform,    they   shall    be   suspended   or   expelled,    as   the   case 
maj'  require,  by  vote  of  the  local  church  or  official  board. 

Section  III. 

TRIAIi    OF    MEMBERS. 

Personal  Trespass. 

1.  When  members  trespass  against  one  another,  let  the 
following  directions  be  followed : 

"If  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against  thee,  go  and  tell  him 
his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone :  if  he  shall  hear  thee, 
thou  hast  gained  thy  brother.  But  if  he  will  not  hear 
thee,  then  take  with  thee  one  or  two  more  .  .  .  And 
if  he  shall  neglect  to  hear  them,  tell  it  unto  the  church : 
but  if  he  neglect  to  hear  the  church,  let  him  be  unto  thee  as 
an  heathen  man  and  a  publican"  (Matt.  18:15-17)  ;  that 
is,  he  shall  be  expelled  by  the  local  church  or  official 
board. 

Immoral  Conduct, 

2.  In  case  of  a  member  accused  of  immoral  conduct, 
the  class  or  official  board  shall  appoint  one  or  more  to 
visit  the  accused  person,  and,  if  possible,  reclaim  him ;  but 
if  unsuccessful,  and  the  guilt  be  denied,  he  shall  be  tried 
by  the  class  to  which  he  belongs,  or  a  committee  thereof, 
chosen  by  the  parties  concerned,  with  the  preacher  in  charge 
of  the  circuit  or  station  as  chairman ;  and  if  found  guilty, 
the  accused  shall  be  expelled,  by  a  vote  of  the  local  church 
or  official  board,  unless  satisfaction  be  given.  If  the  ac- 
cused refuse  to  choose  his  committeeman  when  properly 
notified,  the  quarterly  conference  shall  choose  a  second  per- 
son, and  these  two  a  third,  which  committee  shall  try  the 
case  and  decide.  Yet  cases  may  occur  where  it  would  be 
expedient  to  choose  a  committee  from  some  other  class  or 
classes  than  the  one  to  which  the  parties  belong,  in  which 
case  it  shall  be  lawful  to  do  so.  Also,  an  elder  may  be 
chosen  as  chairman,  should  the  preacher  in  charge  deem 
this  to  be  best.  Should  any  member  be  dissatisfied  with  the 
decision,  an  appeal  may  be  had  to  the  quarterly  conference, 
by  giving  notice  thereof  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  sec- 
letary  of  the  trial.  (See  Chapter  X.,  Section  I.,  page  75.) 
In  such  cases,  however,  the  same  person  shall  not  sit  in 
judgment  on  the  same  case. 


2Q  DISCIPLINE 

Disobedience   io    the   Order  of   the   Church. 

3.  In  cases  of  neglect  of  duty  of  any  kind,  imprudent 
conduct,  indulging  sinful  tempers  or  words,  or  disobedience 
to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church :  First,  let  pri- 
vate reproof  be  given  by  the  preacher  or  leader ;  and  if 
there  be  an  acknowledgment  of  the  fault,  proper  humilia- 
tion, and  a  promise  to  reform,  the  person  may  be  borne 
with.  On  a  second  offense,  the  preacher  or  leader  shall 
take  with  him  one  or  two  faithful  members.  On  a  third 
offense,  let  the  case  be  brought  before  the  local  church,  or 
class,  or  a  select  committee ;  and  if  there  be  no  satisfactory 
humiliation,  the  offender  shall  be  expelled  by  vote  of  the 
local  church  or  official  board.  In  case  the  accused  shall 
deny  his  guilt  and  demand  a  trial,  and  there  be  a  reasonable 
doubt  or  question  about  his  guilt,  he  shall  be  tried  by  a 
committee,  and  if  found  guilty,  he  shall  be  expelled.  In 
case  of  trial  under  this  clause,  the  leader  shall  act  in  be- 
half of  the  local  church ;  or  if  the  leader  be  the  offender,  the 
steward  shall  act  as  prosecutor. 

Disputes. 

4.  In  case  of  a  dispute  between  members  or  preachers, 
the  preacher  to  whom  it  shall  be  known  shall  inquire  into 
the  circumstances  of  the  case,  and,  if  necessary,  shall  rec- 
.ommend  to  the  contending  parties  a  reference  to  a  com- 
mittee consisting  of  one  arbiter  chosen  by  the  plaintiff, 
and  another  by  the  defendant,  and  a  third  by  these  two ; 
then  these  three  are  to  decide.  But  if  the  preacher  to 
whom  the  dispute  is  known  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  act, 
then  the  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint  some  one  to 
xiarry  out  the  rule ;  and  if  either  or  both  disputants  refuse 
to  choose  an  arbiter,  the  quarterly  conference  shall  appoint 
the  first  and  second,  and  these  two  a  third,  who  shall  hear 
the  case  and  decide. 

Right  of  Appeal. 

5.  Should  either  party  be  dissatisfied  with  the  decision, 
an  appeal  may  be  taken  to  the  next  quarterly  conference 
for  a  second  arbitration,  where  each  party  shall  choose  two 
arbiters,  and  the  four  shall  choose  a  fifth,  a  decision  of  a 
majority  of  whom  shall  be  final.  Any  member  refusing  to 
abide  by  this  decision  shall  be  expelled  without  further 
trial.      Members    of    the    Church    or    congregation    who    are 


MEMBERS  27 

present  at  a  class  trial,  but  take  no  part  in  said  trial,  are 
not  disqualified  because  of  said  presence  from  sitting  on 
the  case,  if  an  appeal  is  taken  from  the  decision  reached 
by  said  church. 

Going  to  Law  Forbidden. 

6.  Any  member  refusing,  in  case  of  debt  or  dispute,  to 
refer  the  matter  to  arbitration  when  recommended  to  him 
by  a  preacher  or  leader,  or  who  shall  enter  into  lawsuit 
with  another  member  before  these  measures  are  taken, 
shall  be  dealt  with  as  in  case  of  other  immoralities,  ex- 
cept when  the  case  is  of  such  a  nature  as  to  require  and 
justify  a  process  at  law,  as  in  acting  as  administrators,  or 
when  a  member  is  in  danger,  by  delay,  of  suffering  a  loss 
of  property. 

Record  of  Trials. 

7.  A  faithful  record  of  the  proceedings  of  any  church 
trial  conducted  in  a  class  shall  be  kept  by  the  class-leader 
in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose ;  and  it  shall  be  his 
duty,  in  case  of  an  appeal,  to  furnish  his  record  to  the 
quarterly   conference. 

Order  in  Trials. 

8.  All  church  trials  shall  be  conducted  in  a  consistent 
Christian  manner,  without  the  employment  of  magistrates 
and  attorneys  to  administer  oaths  and  conduct  investiga- 
tions. The  Manual  of  Discipline,  authorized  by  the  Gen- 
eral Conference,  shall  be  the  recognized  authority  governing 
all   Church   trials. 

Section   IV. 

TEANSFER      AND     DISMISSAL      OF     MEMBERS. 

Transfers. 

1.  When  a  member  of  our  Church  moves  from  one  field 
to  another,  he  shall  obtain  a  certificate  of  transfer  by  a 
majority  vote  of  the  class  or  official  board  of  the  church 
to  which  he  belongs,  signed  by  a  preacher  or  leader,  ex- 
cept where  he  is  not  in  reach  of  a  class ;  in  which  case 
any  of  our  preachers  may  give  a  certificate  to  such  person 
if  he  is  known  to  be  in  good  standing ;  and  the  pastor 
shall  notify  the  preacher  in  charge  nearest  the  point  to 
which   the   member  moves.     And   in  case   a  member   moves 


28  DISCIPLINE 

from  a  charge  and  fails  to  report  to  the  class  of  which  he 
is  a  member  annually,  he  may  be  marked  "removed." 

Amenability  of  Certified  Members. 

2.  Any  person  receiving  a  certificate  of  membership  is 
amenable  to  the  class  from  which  he  receives  it,  until  he 
deposits  his  certificate  with  some  other  local  church. 

Limit  of  Certificate. 

3.  A  member  who  receives  a  certificate  is  required  to 
present  it  to  some  local  church,  or  return  it  to  the  class 
by  which  it  was  issued,  within  eighteen  months,  provided 
that  the  holder  of  the  certificate  is  within  reach  of  a  local 
church ;  otherwise  it  shall  become  null  and  void. 

Dismissal. 

4.  If  any  of  our  members  desire  to  leave  the  Church,  and 
their  Christian  life  has  been  good,  and  they  have  settled 
all  of  their  subscriptions  and  assessments,  if  able  to  do  so, 
they  shall  be  entitled  to  an  honorable  dismissal  from  the 
class  by  a  vote  of  the  class,  or  official  board,  signed  by  the 
pastor  or  leader. 

Membership  of  Preachers. 

5.  An  annual-conference  member  may  be  received  into 
a  class  on  his  ministerial  credentials,  provided  said  cre- 
dentials are  held  in  force  by  the  conference  to  which  he  is 
amenable. 

Membership   of  Preachers  Required. 

6.  All  quarterly-  and  annual-conference  preachers  are 
required  to  hold  membership  in  some  local  church,  and 
upon  neglect  or  refusal  to  do  so  shall  lose  their  official  re- 
lation. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Government  of  the  Church. 
Section  I. 

CLASSES. 

Local   Church   Organisation. 

1.  A  LOCAL  church  or  congregation  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  may  be  organized,  where  not  already 
established,  by  any  regularly  authorized  minister  of  the 
denomination,  who  shall  enroll  the  names  of  not  less  than 
five  resident  persons  in  a  book  of  record,  giving  to  each 
the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  by  electing  one  or  more 
class-leaders  and  appointing  one  or  more  stewards.^ 

Division  into   Classes. 

2.  A  local  church  may  be  divided  into  two  or  more 
classes,  where  it  is  deemed  proper  to  do  so,  by  the  pastor 
and  at  least  three  other  members  of  the  church  who  shall 
be  chosen  by  the  official  board.  In  all  cases,  each  class 
shall  elect  its  own  leader,  near  the  close  of  each  official 
year.  After  such  division  the  word  "class"  shall  denote 
only  a  section  of  the  local  church  or  congregation. 

Disbanding   Classes. 

3.  When  a  quarterly  conference  deems  it  impracticable 
to  maintain  the  organization  of  a  church  in  any  place, 
whatever  members  remain  shall  be  by  the  pastor  trans- 
ferred to  such  class  as  may  be  desirable  to  the  member  or 
members  so   transferred. 

^  Note.— Until  the  congregation  thns  constituted  becomes  so  large 
as  to  require  dividing  into  classes  or  sections,  for  purposes  of  conven- 
ience and  efficiency,  the  words  "church,"  "congregation,"  and 
"class"  shall  denote  the  same  aggregate  church  membership. 

29 


30  DISCIPLINE 

Section  II. 

CLASS-LEADERS, 

Qualifications. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  leader's  duty  to  live  a  pious  life  and 
set  a  godly  example  before  his  class ;  carefully  to  study 
the  Holy  Scriptures,  fully  qualifying  himself  for  the  faith- 
ful performance  of  his  duties  as  a  leader  and  counselor  of 
his  class. 

Holding    Meetings. 

2.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  meet  his  class,  in  class-  or 
prayer-meeting,  as  often  as  practicable,  to  speak  to  them 
concerning  their  spiritual  welfare,  and  exhort  them  to 
unity  and  love.  He  shall  extend  the  freedom  of  our 
prayer-  and  class-meetings  to  all  sincere  and  well-disposed 
persons  who  may  desire  to  attend  them. 

Visiting    the   Sick   and   Delinquent. 

3.  When  any  of  his  members  are  sick,  or  delinquent  in 
the  performance  of  their  duties,  he  shall  visit  them  and 
labor  with  them  as  circumstances  may  require. 

Class  Record. 

4.  He  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  members  of  the  class. 

Dismissal  for  Delinquency. 

5.  Any  class-leader  failing  to  discharge  these  duties 
may,  on  complaint,  be  removed  by  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence. 

Section  III. 

CLASS-STEWARDS. 

1.  Every  church  may  have  one  or  more  class-stewards 
and  one  or  more  presiding-elder  stewards ;  the  former  to 
be  chosen  as  provided  for  on  page  62  under  "Annual  Re- 
organization," the  latter  to  be  appointed  by  the  pastor. 

Collections    for   Pastors. 

2.  On  circuits  each  member  shall  contribute  quarterly, 
monthly,  or  oftener,  and  on  stations,  monthly  or  weekly, 
for   the   support  of   the   pastor.      Each   steward   shall   keep 


GOVERNMENT   OF   THE   CHURCH  31 

an  accurate  account  of  the  amount  paid  by  each  member 
of  the  class,  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  re- 
port the  same,  with  name  and  amount,  to  each  quarterly 
conference ;  provided,  however,  that  where  the  envelope 
system  is  in  use  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  general  steward 
to  receive  the  envelopes,  keep  a  correct  record  of  names 
and  amounts  paid,  and  report  the  same  to  the  official 
board  monthly.  He  shall  furnish  each  steward,  at  the 
end  of  each  month,  a  list  of  the  names  of  those  who  are 
delinquent  in  payment  of  pastor's  salary,  with  statement 
of  the  amount  due  from  each.  The  stewards  shall  then 
endeavor  to  secure  prompt  payment  of  such  deficits. 

Elements  for  the  Lord's  Supper. 

3.  It  shall  also  be  the  duty  of  stewards  to  provide  the 
elements  for  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  always 
securing  unfermented   wine. 

Dismissal  for  Delinquency. 

4.  For  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties  as  stew- 
ards, they  shall  be  accountable  to  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence, which  shall  have  power  to  dismiss  them  for  official 
delinquency. 

Presiding-Elder  Steward. 

5.  The  presiding-elder  steward  shall,  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  pastor,  secure  quarterly,  by  private  solicitation 
or  otherwise,  one-fourth  of  the  yearly  assessment  to  the 
class  for  presiding  elder's  salary,  and  report  the  same  to 
the  pastor  on  or  before  the  time  of  each  quarterly  con- 
ference. 

Church   Clerk. 

6.  There  may  be  a  church  clerk  who  shall  be  elected  by 
the  local  church  or  official  board,  who  shall  be  the  pastor's 
clerical  assistant  and  work  under  his  direction. 

Section  IV. 

OFFICIAL    BOARDS. 

1.  The  properly  recognized  members  of  the  quarterly 
conference  shall  be  the  members  of  the  official  board  of 
each  local  church. 


32  DISCIPLINE 

2.  The  pastor  shall  be  the  president  of  the  board ;  in 
his  absence  one  of  the  members  shall  be  elected  president 
pro  tern.  The  sessions  shall  begin  and  close  with  devo- 
tional exercises. 

3.  The  board  shall  elect  a  secretary,  who  shall  keep  a 
record  of  its  proceedings. 

4.  The  general  steward,  elected  by  the  quarterly  con- 
ference, may  be  also  the  church  treasurer.  The  treasurer 
shall  receive  all  moneys  that  have  been  collected  from 
class-stewards,  or  otherwise,  and  receipt  therefor,  and  said 
treasurer  shall  pay  out  all  moneys  in  his  hands  as  the 
official  board  may   direct. 

5.  The  official  board  shall  receive  statements  of  all  sub- 
scriptions and  moneys  received  and  disbursed  for  the  in- 
terest of  the  station ;  and  all  persons  intrusted  with  mon- 
eys or  subscriptions,  whether  trustees,  stewards,  the  treas- 
urer, or  others,  shall  report  the  same  to  the  official  meeting 
as  soon  as  possible. 

6.  It  shall  receive  from  each  class-leader  a  statement 
in  reference  to  the  religious  condition  of  his  class. 

7.  The  official  board  shall  be  the  estimating  committee 
of  the  charge,  unless  otherwise  specifically  ordered  by  the 
quarterly  conference  as  provided  in  Section  V.,  paragraph 
]3,  page  35;  and  said  official  board  shall  meet  the  pastor  as 
soon  as  practicable  after  the  annual  conference,  and  make 
out  an  estimate  of  the  expenses  of  the  station  for  the  year — 
the  preacher's  salary,  the  presiding  elder's  salary,  sexton 
hire,  cost  of  light,  fuel,  insurance,  and  any  other  ordinary 
expenses  incident  to  the  year's  general  account.  It  shall 
also  determine  how  these  funds  are  to  be  secured, — 
whether  by  assessments  or  subscription,  and  whether  by 
envelope  collections  made  weekly,  or  by  the  class-stewards, 
or  both, — what  per  cent,  is  to  be  devoted  to  the  preacher's 
and  presiding  elder's  salaries,  and  what  per  cent,  to  the 
current  expenses  of  the  charge. 

8.  The  official  board  shall  revise  the  church  records,  as 
provided  in  Section  II.,  paragraph  3,  page  62,  and  on  sta- 
tions shall  be  the  body  to  grant  transfers  and  dismissals 
from  the  Church. 

9.  The  official  board  for  stations  shall  meet  once  a 
month,  and  for  circuits,  at  the  call  of  the  pastor. 


GOVERNMENT    OF   THE    CHURCH  33 

Review    by    Quarterly    Conference. 

10.  The  acts  of  the  official  board  shall  be  approved  by 
the   quarterly   conference. 

Section    V. 

QUARTERLY    CONFERENCE. 

Members. 

1.  The  members  of  the  quarterly  conference  shall  be 
the  presiding  elder  of  the  district,  the  preacher  in  charge, 
and  all  properly  recognized  preachers,  exhorters,  deacon- 
esses, class-leaders,  class-stewards,  and  all  other  stewards, 
whose  appointments  have  been  ratified  by  the  quarterly 
conference,  presidents  of  ladies'  aid  societies,  church 
clerks,  when  properly  recognized  by  the  church,  or  official 
board,  or  quarterly  conference,  presidents  of  local  woman's 
missionary  associations,  the  church  treasurer,  trustees  of 
church  and  parsonage  houses,  superintendents  of  Sabbath 
schools,  and  presidents  of  Young  People's  societies,  or- 
ganized in  harmony  with  the  provisions  of  Discipline  con- 
trolling the  organization  of  such  societies,  and  superin- 
tendents of  Junior  societies,  when  similarly  organized,  all 
treasurers  of  Ladies'  Aid  societies,  Woman's  Missionary 
societies,  Young  People's  societies,  and  Sabbath  schools, 
when  said  persons  are  members  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  who  reside  within  the  bounds 
of  the  station  or  circuit,  or  hold  membership  therein.  Such 
members  as  are  present  at  any  regular  meeting  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business.  The 
quarterly  conference  shall  open  and  close  with  prayer. 
The  quarterly  conference  shall  be  amenable  to  the  annual 
conference  for  its  official  acts. 

Duties  and  Powers  of  the  Quarterly  Conference. 

2.  In  the  absence  of  the  presiding  elder,  the  quarterly 
conference  shall  elect  a  chairman  pro  tern.,  whose  official 
acts  shall  be  valid. 

3.  It  shall  elect  a  secretary,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to 
keep  a  correct  record  of  all  its  proceedings  in  a  book  pro- 
vided for  that  purpose,  in  which  the  names  of  all  the  mem- 
bers composing  the  said  conference  shall  be  entered. 


34  DISCIPLINE 

4.  It  shall  make  inquiry  into  the  moral  deportment  and 
official  character  of  all  its  members. 

5.  On  stations,  it  shall  elect,  at  the  last  quarterly  con- 
ference of  the  year,  a  church  treasurer,  wherever  desir- 
able, who  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

6.  It  shall  enforce  discipline  in  all  the  classes  under  its 
jurisdiction,  but  in  no  case  disorganize  a  class  unless  the 
preliminary  steps  have  been  taken  as  required  in  Chapter 
v.,  Section  I.,  paragraph  3,  page  29. 

7.  It  shall  hear  the  reports  of  the  stewards,  and  make 
settlements  with   the  pastor. 

Appeals  and  Trials. 

8.  It  shall  receive  and  try  all  appeals,  references,  and 
complaints  that  may  come  regularly  before  it ;  but  no  mem- 
ber of  quarterly  conference  can  be  suspended  or  expelled 
from  the  Church  prior  to  a  committee  trial. 

Licensing  Preachers  and  Exhort ers. 

9.  It  shall  have  power  to  grant  license  to  preach  or 
exhort,  according  to  the  provisions  of  Chapter  VI.,  "Min- 
istry of  the  Church." 

Renewing   Licenses. 

10.  It  shall  renew  the  license  of  exhorters  and  quar- 
terly->conference  preachers  annually,  if  they  are  found 
worthy,  and  arrange  a  plan  for  the  local  preachers  to 
preach  regularly  at  stated  places,  as  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence may  direct. 

Recommending    to    the   Annual   Conference. 

11.  The  quarterly  conference  may  recommend  to  the 
annual  conference  licentiates  of  one  or  more  years'  stand- 
ing, who  have  completed  the  course  of  reading  required. 

General  Stewards. 

12.  The  quarterly  conference,  at  its  last  session  in  each 
year,  shall  elect  by  ballot  a  steward  for  the  charge,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  assist  the  class-stewards  in  securing  the 
pastor's  salary,  and  to  receive  and  audit  the  steward's  re- 
ports. 


GOVERNMENT   OF   THE   CHURCH  35 

Estimating    Committee. 

13.  In  cases  of  circuits,  the  quarterly  conference  shall, 
at  its  last  session  for  the  year,  appoint  a  finance  commit- 
tee, which  committee  shall  meet  at  the  time  and  place 
specified  by  the  preacher  appointed  to  the  charge  for  the 
ensuing  year,  and  make  out  an  estimate  of  the  regular  ex- 
penses, and  apportion  the  same,  including  the  conference 
assessment  for  presiding  elder's  salary,  among  the  differ- 
ent appointments  according  to  their  respective  ability,  and 
report  the  same  to  the  quarterly  conference  for  ratification. 
This  committee  shall  also  serve  as  an  executive  committee 
for  the  quarterly  conference  during  the  year  in  all  matters 
of  finance. 

Apportionment  to  the  Members. 

14.  As  soon  as  convenient  after  each  class  has  received 
its  apportionment,  on  the  call  of  the  pastor,  the  official 
members  shall  meet  and  make  a  distribution  of  the  appor- 
tionment, including  the  assessment  for  presiding  elder,  to 
the  members  severally,  according  to  their  ability,  to  be 
paid  quarterly,  monthly,  or  of tener ;  provided,  however, 
that  it  shall  be  the  privilege  of  any  class  to  collect  the 
amount  apportioned  to  it  by  subscription  or  otherwise. 

Place   of  Meeting. 

15.  The  quarterly  conference  shall  determine  its  places 
of  meeting. 

Appeals. 

16.  Any  preacher  dissatisfied  with  the  decision  of  a 
quarterly  conference  shall,  within  thirty  days  after  the 
quarterly  conference,  notify  the  secretary,  in  writing,  of 
his  intention  to  appeal,  together  with  his  reasons  for  so 
doing ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  take  or 
send  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceedings,  the  notification, 
and  reasons  assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

17.  In  all  cases  of  appeal,  whether  to  the  quarterly  or 
annual  conference,  or  to  the  court  of  appeals,  the  course 
laid  down  in  the  chapter  on  "Appeals"  is  the  proper  course 
to  be  pursued. 


36  DISCIPLINE 

Section   VI. 

ANNUAL     CONFERENCE. 

Members. 

1.  The  aunual  conference  shall  consist  of  all  elders  and 
licentiate  preachers,  who  have  been  duly  received,  and  one 
layman  from  each  charge  in  the  conference,  who  shall  be 
elected  by  ballot,  at  the  third  or  last  session  of  the  quar- 
terly conference  in  the  year,  a  majority  of  all  the  votes  cast 
being  necessary  to  a  choice. 

The  delegate  thus  chosen  shall  not  be  one  holding  an 
annual-conference  license  as  a  minister,^  nor  one  recom- 
mended to  the  annual  conference  for  license  to  preach,  and 
such  delegate  shall  have  all  the  rights  and  privileges  of 
ministers  in  the  annual  conference  except  the  right  to  vote 
upon  the  reception  or  expulsion  of  preachers,  and  the  pass- 
ing of  preachers  in  the  course  of  reading. 

Devotions. 

2.  Suitable  devotional  exercises,  consisting  of  scripture 
reading,  singing,  and  prayer,  shall  be  held  at  the  opening 
and  closing  of  the  conference  sessions. 

Secretaries. 

3.  The  conference  shall  elect  one  or  more  secretaries, 
as  the  case  may  require,  who,  in  addition  to  discharging 
the  regular  duties  of  secretary,  shall,  immediately  on  the 
adjournment  of  the  annual  conference,  transmit  to  the 
Publishing  Agent  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  a  true  transcript  of 
the  footings  of  the  conference  chart. 

Bishop  Pro  Tempore. 

4.  If  no  bishop  should  be  present,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  annual  conference  to  elect  a  bishop  pro  tern.,  whose 
official  acts  shall  be  valid. 

Examinations. 

5.  All  preachers  shall  report  in  person  or  by  letter,  and 
be    examined    respecting    their    deportment    toward    their 

^  Note.— It  is  also  advised  by  the  General  Conference  that  wives 
of  annual  conference  ministers  be  not  chosen  as  lay  delegates. 


GOVERNMENT    OF   THE   CHURCH  37 

fellow-men,  whether  their  conduct  in  life  be  blameless, 
and  whether  they  employ  as  much  time  as  practicable  to 
promote  the  kingdom  oi  God  (according  to  Tit.  1:7-9  and 
II.  Tim.  2:15),  and  if  found  delinquent  they  shall  be 
admonished  or  advised,  as  the  case  may  require.  But 
should  all  admonition  or  advice  fail,  then  the  name  of  the 
delinquent  person  shall  be  erased  from  the  roll  of  the  con- 
ference. 

Absentees. 

t3.  Should  any  member  of  the  annual  conference  absent 
himself  from  the  session  of  conference  three  years  in  suc- 
cession, without  giving  a  satisfactory  reason  for  so  doing, 
his  name  may  be  erased  from  the  roll  of  the  conference. 

Electioneering  Forhidden. 

7.  No  preacher  or  layman  shall  be  permitted  to  elec- 
tioneer favorably  to  his  own  election  to  any  oflfice  or  dele- 
gation in  the  Church ;  and  should  any  one  be  found  doing 
so,  if  a  preacher,  he  shall  be  held  accountable  to  the  next 
annual  conference  of  which  he  is  a  member.  If  a  layman, 
he  shall  he  held  accountable  to  the  class,  to  be  dealt  with, 
respectively,  according  to  the  judgment  of  said  conference 
or  class. 

Authority  of  the  Annual  Conference. 

8.  An  annual  conference  may  adopt  rules  for  its  own 
government  not  in  conflict  with  the  Discipline  of  the 
Church, 

Questions. 

9.  The  following  questions  shall  also  be  asked  by  the 
presiding   officer : 

(1)  Have  any  of  your  preachers  died  during  the  last 
year  ? 

(2)  Who  are  candidates  for  the   ministry? 

(3)  Are  any  to  be  ordained  to  the  ofBce  of  elder? 

(4)  What  has  been  collected  for  contingent  expenses 
and  the  salary  of  pastors? 

(5)  What  has  been  done  for  missions? 

(6)  What  has  been  done  for  Sabbath  schools? 

(7)  Has  reckoning  been   made  with   pastors? 

(8)  Who  are  the  presiding  elders? 

(9)  Where  are  the  preachers  stationed  this  year? 


38  DISCIPLINE 

(10)  Where  shall  our  next  conference  be  held? 

(11)  Is  there  anything  else  to  be  done? 

(12)  Is  all  that  has  been  done  entered  upon  record? 

Section  VII. 

GENERAL   CONFERENCE. 

Members. 

1.  (See  Constitution,  Article  I.,   Section  1.) 

Conference  Representation. 

2.  The  annual  conferences  shall  be  represented  in  the 
General  Conference  according  to  the  following  ratios :  All 
conferences  having  less  than  one  thousand  members  shall 
be  entitled  to  two  delegates,  one  ministerial  and  one  lay ; 
one  thousand  and  less  than  three  thousand,  two  ministerial 
and  two  lay ;  three  thousand  and  less  than  six  thousand, 
three  ministerial  and  three  lay ;  six  thousand  and  less  than 
ten  thousand,  four  ministerial  and  four  lay ;  ten  thousand 
and  less  than  fifteen  thousand,  five  ministerial  and  five  lay ; 
fifteen  thousand  and  less  than  twenty  thousand,  six  min- 
isterial and  six  lay ;  and  all  over  twenty  thousand,  seven 
ministerial  and  seven  lay. 

Bishop's   Announcement. 

3.  The  Board  of  Bishops  shall  as  early  as  possible  an- 
nounce the  number  of  delegates  to  which  each  conference 
shall  be  entitled,  as  appearing  from  the  statistics  of  the 
annual  conferences  at  the  end  of  the  third  year  of  the 
quadrennial   term. 

Nomiiiation  of  Delegates. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  ministerial  members  of 
each  annual  conference  at  the  session  next  preceding  the 
election  for  delegates  to  General  Conference,  apart  from 
the  lay  delegates,  to  nominate  by  ballot  three  times  the 
number  of  ministerial  delegates  to  be  elected.  It  shall 
also  be  the  duty  of  the  lay  delegates,  in  separate  conven- 
tion, to  nominate  by  ballot  three  times  the  number  of  lay 
delegates  to  be  elected.  In  both  cases  it  shall  require  a 
majority  of  all  the  ballots  cast  to  effect  a  nomination. 
This   provision   shall    not   be   construed    as   depriving   mem- 


GOVERNMENT   OF   TllK   CHUKCH  39 

bers  of  the  right  to  vote,  it  desirous  of  doing  so,  for  other 
ministers  and  laymen  who  are  eligible. 

Annual-Conference  Tellers. 

5.  Each  annual  conference  shall  appoint  a  committee 
of  three  as  a  board  of  tellers,  and  three  as  alternates,  to 
receive  and  publicly  count  the  votes,  and  issue  certificates 
of  election  to  those  receiving  the  highest  number  of  votes. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  tellers  to  meet  before 
the  month  of  November  and  appoint  one  of  their  number 
secretary ;  and  to  said  secretary  all  returns  of  boards  of 
election  shall  be  made ;  and  the  said  secretary  shall  re- 
tain under  lock  and  key  all  such  reports  until  the  official 
count  is  made. 

Lists   of  Nominees   and   Blanks. 

6.  The  annual  conference  shall  also  furnish,  through 
its  recording  secretary,  to  each  preacher  in  charge  of  a 
field  of  labor  a  list  of  all  the  ministers  and  laymen  nomi- 
nated ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  presiding  elder  to 
have  printed  in  convenient  form,  and  deliver  in  due  time 
to  each  pastor,  printed  tickets  containing  all  the  names 
nominated,  for  use  in  the  election  of  delegates.  He  shall 
also  furnish  to  each  preacher  in  charge  on  his  district 
blank  bills  of  election,  which  shall  be  distributed  by  the 
preachers  to  their  respective  boards  of  election. 

Boards   of   Election. 

7.  The  leaders  and  stewards  of  each  local  church  shall 
constitute  a  board  of  election,  who  shall,  by  the  pastor,  be 
furnished  a  copy  of  the  list  of  persons  nominated ;  and  the 
election  shall  be  held  invariably  in  the  month  of  Novem- 
ber  next  preceding  the  sitting  of   the   General   Conference. 

8.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  election  of  each 
local  church  publicly  to  announce,  at  least  one  week  be- 
fore the  election,  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  said  church, 
for  purpose  of  casting  their  ballot  for  delegates  to  rep- 
resent them  in  the  General  Conference. 

Absent  Voters. 

9.  Should  any  member  be  incapacitated  by  age,  afflic- 
tion, non-residence,  or  other  unavoidable  circumstances, 
and  should  any  minister  be  absent  on  his  charge,  such 
persons    may    send    their    ballots    containing    the    names    of 


40  DISCIPLINE 

their  choice,  with  their  own  names  signed  on  the  back  of 
their  ballots ;  provided,  that  no  votes  shall  be  counted  ex- 
cept those  cast  on  the  day  appointed  for  such  election. 

Election  Returns. 

10.  Each  board  of  election  shall  immediately  make  up 
the  bill  of  election,  sign,  enclose,  and  seal  it,  and  trans- 
mit it  to  the  secretary  of  the  board  of  tellers  appointed 
by  the  annual  conference,  stating  what  church,  circuit, 
mission,  or  station  their  vote  represents.  They  shall  also 
keep  a  correct  copy  of  the  bill  they  send  to  the  tellers ; 
also  a  list  of  the  names  of  all  the  members  voting,  and 
also  the  tickets  used  in  voting,  until  after  the  adjourn- 
ment of  the  General  Conference,  when  they  may  be  de- 
stroyed. 

11.  Pastors  shall  be  required  to  see  that  forms  for  the 
election  of  delegates  are  properly  filled  out  and  the  re- 
turns of  their  charges  sent  in ;  they  shall  be  held  amenable 
to  the  annual  conference  for  the  discharge  of  the  same. 

Canvassing  and  Puilication  of  Returns, 

12.  The  annual-conference  board  of  tellers,  after  giving 
at  least  three  days'  notice  of  the  time  and  place  of  can- 
vassing the  returns,  shall  make  out  a  list  of  all  persons 
voted  for,  and  of  the  number  of  votes  for  each ;  and 
should  any  two  or  more  of  the  candidates  have  an  equal 
number  of  votes,  the  tellers  shall  determine,  by  lot,  which 
of  them  is  elected.  They  shall  also  forward  by  the  first 
of  February  the  names  of  those  elected  to  the  editor  of 
the  Religious  Telescope  for  publication.  They  shall  also 
transmit  to  the  Publishing.  Agent,  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  a 
complete  list  of  all  persons  voted  for  and  the  number  of 
votes  cast  for  each,  which  record  shall  be  furnished  to 
the  ensuing  General  Conference,  and  if  one  or  more  of 
those  elected  should  be  prevented  from  attending,  by 
death,  sickness,  or  otherwise,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the 
tellers  or  secretary  of  the  General  Conference  to  notify 
the  next  highest  on  the  hill  to  take  his  place,  and  so  on, 
descending,  if  need  be,  to  the  last  candidate.  No  bills 
of  election  received  by  the  tellers  after  the  first  day  of 
.Tanuary   shall   be  counted. 

Contests. 

13.  In  case  of  contest  for  the  seat  of  any  delegate  re- 


GOVERNMENT      OF   THE   CHURCH  41 

ported  elected  to  the  General  Conference  by  the  board  of 
tellers  of  his  conference,  the  contestor  shall  give  notice  to 
the  contestee  in  writing  forty  days  before  the  sitting  of 
the  General  Conference,  in  which  charges  and  specifica- 
tions shall  be  plainly  stated.  Any  person  failing  to  give 
such  notice  shall  forfeit  his  right  to  contest  in  the  General 
Conference. 

Location  and  Entertainment  of  the   General   Conference. 

14.  The  arrangements  for  the  place  and  entertainment 
of  the  General  Conference,  if  not  determined  at  its  ses- 
sions, shall  be  referred,  with  full  power  to  act,  to  the 
board  of  trustees  and  the  Agent  of  the  Printing  Estab- 
lishment. 

15.  Said  board  shall  estimate  the  amount  required 
for  the  expenses  of  the  General  Conference,  including 
traveling  expenses  and  boarding  of  delegates  and  bishops, 
and  shall  apportion  the  same  among,  and  report  the 
same  to,  the  annual  conferences  early  in  the  first  year 
of  the  quadrennium  next  preceding  the  sitting  of  the  Gen- 
eral Conference ;  said  apportionments  shall  be  by  each  an- 
nual conference  apportioned  in  annual  assessments  to  each 
charge  in  the  conference,  and  the  pastors  be  required  to 
collect  and  turn  over  the  same  to  the  conference  treasurer 
at  the  close  of  the  year,  and  the  conference  treasurer  shall, 
as  soon  as  the  apportionment  is  all  collected,  send  said 
amount  to  the  General  Church  Treasurer  at  Dayton,  Ohio. 

16.  This  money  shall  be  known  as  the  General  Confer- 
ence Expense  Fund,  and  shall  be  distributed  among  the 
delegates  and  bishops  in  proportion  to  their  traveling  ex- 
penses by  the  most  direct  route  to  and  from  the  seat  of 
the  General  Conference,  and  shall  include  their  board  and 
lodging  during  the  sessions  of  the  conference ;  provided, 
however,  that  if  any  conference  shall  fail  to  raise  the  full 
amount  of  its  apportionment,  said  conference  delegation 
shall  receive  from  said  fund  in  proportion  to  the  amount 
raised  by  the  conference. 

Examination  of  Annual  Conferences. 

17.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  General  Conference  to 
examine  the  administration  of  each  annual  conference, 
whether  it  has  strictly  observed  the  rules  and  preserved 
the  moral  and  doctrinal  principles  of  the  Discipline  in  all 
its  transactions. 


42  DISCIPLINE 

Election  of   Officers. 

18.  In  the  election  of  all  officers  of  the  General  Con- 
ference, a  majority  of  all  the  votes  shall  be  necessary  to  a 
choice. 

Boards   of   Trustees. 

19.  If  the  board  of  trustees  of  any  of  our  Church  in- 
stitutions shall,  on  account  of  removals,  or  otherwise,  at 
any  time  not  have  the  number  of  members  required  by  the 
charter  of  such  institutions  to  be  selected  from  a  particular 
State,  said  board  shall  be  authorized  to  supply  said  de- 
ficiency by  the  selection  of  additional  trustees. 

Section  VIII. 

GENERAL    CHURCH    TREASURER.^ 

The  General  Conference  shall  elect  a  General  Church 
Treasurer,  who  shall  receive  and  disburse,  on  order,  the 
funds  of  the  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  So- 
ciety, Church-Erection  Society,  General  Sabbath-School 
Board,  Board  of  Education,  Church  Trustees,  General  Con- 
ference Expense  Fund,  Union  Biblical  Seminary  Fund,  and 
other  benevolent  funds  of  the  Church.  Said  treasurer  shall 
give  bond  for  the  faithful  performance  of  his  duty,  the  bond 
to  be  fixed  by  the  Board  of  Bishops  and  the  salary  by  the 
General   Conference. 

Section  IX. 

OLD    people's    home. 

1.  Any  conference  or  number  of  conferences,  with  the 
consent  of  the  Board  of  Bishops,  may  unite  in  founding  an 
Old  People's  Home,  Orphanage,  or  Hospital. 

2.  The  conference  or  conferences  founding  and  support- 
ing any  of  said  institutions  shall  elect  the  board  of  trustees. 

3.  Said  board  of  trustees  shall  be  incorporated,  and 
shall  hold  all  property  in  trust  for  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

4.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  adopt  such  plans  and  rules 
as  may  be  necessary  for  the  management  of  said  institu- 
tion, provided  such  rules  are  in  harmony  with  the  Disci- 
pline of  the  Church. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Board  of  Bishops  to  pre- 
sent the  above  interests  to  each  annual  conference  coop- 
erating with   said  institution. 

» For  filling  vacancy,  see  General  Conference  proceedings  of  1901 
pages  473  and  545. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Ministry  of  the  Chukch. 

Section   I. 

EXHORTERS, 

How  Licensed. 

1,  Any  person  wishing  to  obtain  license  to  exhort 
must  obtain  from  the  class  of  which  he  is  a  member,  by 
a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members,  at  a  meeting  called  for 
that  purpose,  a  recommendation  in  writing,  signed  by  the 
leader,  or  preacher  in  charge,  to  the  quarterly  conference 
of  the  circuit,  station,  or  mission  to  which  he  belongs, 
which  may  license  him,  after  an  examination  on  the  ques- 
tions for  applicants  for  quarterly-conference  license  to 
preach. 

Exhorters'   Duties. 

2,  Exhorters  shall  make  appointments  wherever  ac- 
ceptable to  the  people ;  read  portions  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, exhorting  therefrom ;  exhorting  saints,  that  they 
with  purpose  of  heart  should  cleave  to  the  Lord,  and  sin- 
ners to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come ;  and  this  they  shall  do 
as  often  as  practicable. 

Renewal  of  License. 

3,  The  license  of  an  exhorter  is  subject  to  renewal  an- 
nually, at  the  discretion  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

Section   II. 

QUARTERLY-CONFERENCE    PREACHERS. 

How  Licensed. 

1.  Any  person  wishing  to  obtain  license  to  preach, 
must  obtain  from  the  class  of  which  he  is  a  member,  by  a 
two-thirds  vote  of  the  members,  at  a  meeting  called  for 
that    purpose,    a    recommendation    in    writing,    signed    by 

43 


44  DISCIPLINE 

the  leader  or  preacher,  to  the  quarterly  conference  of  the 
circuit,  station,  or  mission  to  which  he  belongs ;  provided, 
however,  that  none  shall  receive  license  who  have  not 
passed  the  Bible  Normal  Union  Course,  or  its  fair  equiva- 
lent, and  expressed  their  purpose  to  make  the  ministry 
their  life  work,  and  who  cannot  give  satisfactory  evidence 
of  their  call,  religious  experience,  soundness  of  doctrine, 
and  attachment  to  the  Church  and  its  government.  The 
person  making  application  shall  be  examined  by  the 
quarterly  conference,  and  the  following  questions  shall  be 
asked  by  the  chairman : 

Exaiiiination  of  Applicant. 

2.  (1)  Do  you  believe  our  Confession  of  Faith  as  set 
forth  in  our  Book  of  Discipline? 

(2)  Have  you  now  peace  with  God  through  our  Lord 
Jesus    Christ? 

(3)  What  is  your  motive  in  desiring  permission  to 
preach  the  gospel? 

(4)  Are  you  satisfied  with  our  Church  government? 

(5)  Will  you  submit  yourself  to  the  counsel  of  your 
brethren  ? 

(6)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  depravity,  of  redemp- 
tion, of  faith,  of  repentance,  of  justification,  of  regenera- 
tion, and  of  sanctification? 

(7)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  the  ordinary  branches 
of  an   English  or  German   education? 

3.  It  shall  be  the  privilege  of  the  chairman  to  ask  any 
other  question  or  questions  that  he  may  deem  necessary. 

4.  Persons  divorced,  except  on  scriptural  grounds,  shall 
not  be  granted  license. 

5.  No  person  shall  be  granted  license  to  preach  the 
gospel,  by  either  quarterly  or  annual  conference,  who  uses 
tobacco  in  any  form  ;  and  any  minister  in  quarterly  or  an- 
i:ual  conference  relation  who  has  promised  to  abstain  from 
its  use  and  shall  afterward,  by  satisfactory  evidence,  be 
found  guilty  of  indulging  in  the  use  of  tobacco,  shall  have 
his  license  revoked  by  the  quarterly  conference. 

6.  When  a  preacher  from  another  church  comes  to  us 
with  a  certificate  of  good  standing  in  the  church  in  which 
he  has  held  membership,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  the 
quarterly  conference  concerning  his  agreement  on  the  doc- 
trines,   discipline,    government,   and   usages   of   our   Church, 


MINISTRY    OF   THE   CHURCH  45 

the  quarterly  conference  may  receive  him,  and  give  him  the 
same  standing  which  he  held  in  the  church  from  which  he 
came,  until  the  succeeding  annual  conference. 

Course   of  Reading. 

7.  A  quarterly-conference  preacher  is  required  to  pur- 
sue the  course  of  reading  prescribed  in  our  Book  of  Dis- 
cipline, and  to  be  examined  annually  by  the  presiding  elder 
and  preacher  in  charge  at  the  fourth  quarterly  meeting. 

[For  exception  to  this  article,  see  paragraph  7,  on  page 
47.] 

Renewal  of  License. 

8.  The  license  of  a  quarterly  conference  preacher  is  sub- 
ject to  renewal  annually,  at  the  discretion  of  the  quarter- 
ly conference,  provided,  however,  that  when  the  course  of 
study  required  has  been  taken,  he  shall  be  excused  from 
further  examination,  and  shall  hold  his  license  subject  to 
the  discretion  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

Recommendation    to   Annual    Conference. 

9.  After  a  quarterly-conference  preacher  has  stood  in 
that  relation  one  or  more  conference  years,  the  quarterly 
conference  may  recommend  him  to  the  annual  conference, 
and  if  not  received  he  shall  sustain  his  former  relation. 
The  recommendation  shall  be  signed  by  the  secretary  of 
the  quarterly  conference  or  the  presiding  elder. 

Section  III. 

ANNUAL-CONFERENCE     PREACHERS. 

Holo   Received. 

1.  Every  person  proposed  as  a  preacher  shall  be  exam- 
ined by  the  annual  conference,  or  a  select  committee  there- 
of ;  and  the  following  questions  shall  be  asked  him : 

Preacher's  Examination. 

2.  (1)  Have  you  known  God  in  Christ  Jesus  to  be  a 
sin-pardoning  God? 

(2)  Have  you  now  peace  with  God,  and  is  the  love  of 
God  shed  abroad  in  your  heart  by  the  Holy  Spirit? 

(3)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God, 


46  DISCIPLINE 

and  that  therein  is  contained  the  only  true  way  to  our  sal- 
vation ? 

(4)  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  belief? 

(5)  Do  you  follow  after  holiness? 

(6)  What  is  your  motive  for  desiring  permission  to 
preach  the  gospel? 

(7)  Do  you  believe  that  man,  apart  from  the  grace  of 
our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  is  fallen  from  original  righteous- 
ness, and  is  not  only  entirely  destitute  of  holiness,  but  is 
inclined  to  evil,  and  only  evil,  and  that  continually ;  and 
that  except  a  man  be  born  again  he  cannot  see  the  king- 
dom  of  heaven? 

(8)  What  is  your  knowledge  of  redemption,  of  faith, 
of  repentance,  justification,  regeneration,  and  sanctifica- 
tion? 

(9)  Does  your  own  salvation,  and  the  salvation  of  your 
fellow  mortals,  lie  nearer  to  your  heart  than  all  other  things 
in   the   world? 

(10)  Will  you  subject  yourself  to  the  counsel  of  your 
brethren  in  the  Lord? 

(11)  Are  you  satisfied  with  our  Church  government? 

(12)  Are  you  willing,  as  much  as  is  in  your  power,  to 
assist  in  upholding  our  itinerant  plan? 

(13)  What  have  been  your  school  advantages? 

Licensing   Women. 

3.  Not  wishing  to  hinder  any  Christian  who  may  be 
moved  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  labor  in  the  vineyard  of  the 
Lord  for  the  salvation  of  souls,  it  is  ordered  that  whenever 
any  godly  woman  presents  herself  before  the  quarterly  or 
annual  conference  as  an  applicant  for  authority  to  preach 
the  gospel  among  us,  she  may  be  granted  license,  pro- 
vided she  complies  with  the  usual  conditions  required  of 
applicants  for  the  ministry  in  our  Church,  And  when 
she  shall  have  passed  the  required  examination  before  the 
regular  committees,  she  may,  after  the  usual  probation,  be- 
ordained. 

Qualifications   of  Applicants. 

4.  None  can  be  admitted  without  having  a  recom- 
mendation from  the  quarterly  conference,  and  then  only 
to  be  received  on  probation ;  neither,  except  in  extraor- 
dinary  cases,   can  any  one   be  admitted  who  has  not  com- 


MINISTRY    OF   THE   CHUKCII  47 

pleted  a  public-school  course  through  the  high-school 
grade,  or  the  standard  preparatory  course  in  college,  or  its 
fair  equivalent ;  such  cases  to  be  decided  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  annual  conference.  If  the  conference  should, 
on  examination,  find  that  the  candidate's  abilities  are  in- 
sufficient to  preach  the  gospel,  it  may  refer  him  back  to 
the  quarterly   conference  for  further   instruction. 

5.  Persons  divorced,  except  on  scriptural  grounds,  shall 
not  be  granted  license  to  preach. 

6.  No  person  shall  be  granted  license  to  preach  the  gos- 
pel who  uses  tobacco  in  any  form.  The  license  of  any 
preacher  who  uses  tobacco,  shall,  upon  proper  evidence,  be 
revoked  by  the  annual  conference. 

Exemption  from  Exam,ination. 

7.  Any  person  pursuing  the  quarterly-  or  annual-con- 
ference course  of  study  who  presents  a  certificate  to  the 
effect  that  he  has  completed  branches  or  books  contained 
in  the  courses  in  the  Discipline,  at  any  of  our  schools,  or 
at  schools  whose  standard  of  excellence  is  acceptable  to 
the  parties  conducting  the  examination  on  behalf  of  the 
Church,  said  certificates  shall  preclude  the  necessity  for 
further  examination  in  the  branches  or  books  which  have 
been  completed  as  evidenced  by  said  certificates. 

An  Expelled  Preacher. 

8.  When  a  preacher  or  elder  has  been  expelled,  or  with- 
draws from  an  annual  conference,  he  shall  not  be  received 
into  another  conference  without  the  consent  of  the  confer- 
ence with  which  he  was  formerly  connected. 

Preacher' s  Transfer. 

9.  A  preacher  or  elder  who  shall  labor  in  the  bounds 
of  an  annual  conference  other  than  the  one  to  which  he 
belongs,  for  two  years,  shall  be  required  to  obtain  a  trans- 
fer from  the  conference  to  which  he  belongs  and  to  unite 
with  the  conference  in  whose  bounds  he  labors,  or  to  re- 
turn to  his  own  conference  for  work ;  provided,  that  presi- 
dents and  professors  of  schools  and  colleges,  students  in 
our  institutions  of  learning,  and  others  engaged  in  general 
church  work,   shall  be  exempt  from  this  requirement. 

10.  A  preacher  removing  from  one  conference  to  an- 
other  shall,   when   he   applies   to   the   latter   for  admission, 


48  DISCIPLINE 

produce  a  transfer  from  the  former,   signed  by   the  presid- 
ing officer  or  secretary. 

Limit   of   Transfer. 

11.  A  preacher  or  elder  who  receives  a  transfer  is  re- 
quired to  present  said  transfer  to  another  conference,  or  to 
return  it  to  the  conference  by  which  it  was  issued,  within 
two  years  after  its  date.  Otherwise  the  transfer  shall  be 
null  and  void,  and  it  shall  be  published  that  said  preacher 
is  not  longer  connected  with  our  Church  as  a  minister. 

Accountability  of  Transferred  Preachers. 

12.  A  preacher  or  elder  receiving  a  transfer  shall  be  a 
member  of  the  quarterly  conference  in  whose  bounds  he 
may  reside,  and  shall  also  be  accountable  for  his  moral 
and  official  conduct  to  the  annual  conference  granting  said 
transfer,  until  his  transfer  be  received  by  the  conference 
to  which  he  has  been  transferred. 

Section  IV. 

RECEPTION    OF    PREACHERS    FROM    OTHER    CHURCHES. 

When  a  preacher  from  another  church  comes  to  us  with 
a  certificate  of  good  standing  in  the  church  in  which  he 
has  held  membership,  or  with  a  transfer  from  a  confer- 
ence, presbytery,  or  synod,  and  gives  satisfaction  to  the 
annual  conference  concerning  his  agreement  on  the  doc- 
trine, discipline,  government,  and  usages  of  our  Church, 
the  conference  may  receive  him.  If  he  be  an  ordained  elder, 
he  must  pass  the  examination  required  of  candidates  for 
elder's  orders,  but  he  may  be  exempt  from  the  laying  on  of 
hands. 

Section   V. 

CLASSIFICATION    OF   THE    MINISTRY. 

Classes. 

1.  The  ministry  of  the  Church  shall  be  classified  after 
the  following  order :  First,  as  elders  and  licentiates ;  sec- 
ond, as  itinerants  (active,  superannuated,  or  supernumer- 
ary)   and  local  preachers. 

Elders. 

2.  Elders  are  ministers  who  have  been  ordained  in  ac- 
cordance with  the  provisions  of  Section  VI.  of  this  chapter. 


MINISTRY    OF    THE   CHURCH  49 

Licentiates. 

3.  Licentiates  are  ministers  who  have  received  annual- 
conference  license,  but  have  not  yet  been  ordained. 

Itinerants. 

■i.  To  this  class  shall  belong  all  annual-conference  min- 
isters who  have  been  regularly  received  into  the  itinerancy. 
They  may  be  active,   superannuated,  or  supernumerary. 

(1)  Active  Itinerants  are  such  itinerants  as  have  re- 
ceived work  from  the  conference  or  Church. 

(2)  Superannuated  Itinerants  are  such  itinerants  as 
are  from  age  or  physical  infirmities  unable  to  pursue  the 
regular  work  of  the  ministry. 

(3)  Supernumerary  Itinerants  are  such  as  have  been 
admitted  to  the  itinerancy  and  are  willing  to  work,  but  for 
whom  the  conference  and  Church,  for  the  time  being,  are 
not  able  to  find  work,  or  who,  by  their  own  request,  have 
been  voted  to  such  relation. 

Local  Preachers. 

5.  To  this  class  shall  belong  such  annual-conference 
preachers  as  are  not  admitted  to  the  itinerancy. 

Class — How  Determined. 

6.  The  annual  conference  shall  determine  to  which  of 
the  foregoing  classes  each  minister  shall  belong.  Should 
an  itinerant  leave  in  an  irregular  way  the  work  assigned 
him,  he  shall  forfeit  his  standing  as  an  itinerant. 

Evangelists. 

7.  No  preacher  shall  be  authorized  as  an  evangelist  who 
does  not  actively  engage  in  evangelistic  work  under  the  di- 
rection of  the  Board  of  Missions  or  annual  conference  to 
which  he  belongs.  He  shall  report  his  work  annually  to  the 
conference  or  Board  of  Missions. 


50  DISCIPLINE 

Section  VI. 

ELDERS. 

Licentiate's    Probation. 

1.  After  a  probation  of  four  years,  a  licentiate  preacher 
may  be  presented  to  the  annual  conference  for  elder's  or- 
ders ;  whereupon  the  bishop  shall  propose  to  the  conference 
the  following  questions : 

Questions    Regarding    a    Candidate. 

2.  (1)      Is  he  blameless  touching  the  marriage  state? 

(2)  Is  his  deportment  in  the  social  circle  marked  with 
watchful   sobriety  ? 

(3)  Is  he  hospitable  toward  the  afflicted  and  needy? 

(4)  Is  he  faithful  in  the  public  ministration  of  God's 
word,  and  diligent  in  reading  and  study? 

(5)  Is  his  household  subject  to  rules  of  piety? 

3.  Should  the  above  questions  be  answered  in  the 
affirmative,  a  committee  of  three  or  five  elders  shall  be  ap- 
pointed, before  whom  the  candidate  shall  appear  and  make 
answer  to  the  following  questions : 

Committee   Examination. 

4.  (1)  Upon  what  foundation  do  you  believe  the  Bible 
to  be  the  word  of  God? 

(2)  How  do  you  prove  the  fall  of  man  by  transgression? 

(3)  How  do  you  prove  the  redemption  of  man  by  Jesus 
Christ? 

(4)  Do  you  believe  in  the  deity  of  Jesus  Christ? 

(5)  What  foundation  have  you  for  such  a  belief? 

(6)  Do  you  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost  as  presented  in 
our  Confession  of  Faith? 

(7)  Upon  what  evidence  do  you  believe  this? 

(8)  Do  you  believe  in  future  everlasting  punishment? 

Duties  of  the  Committee. 

5.  It  shall  be  the  right  of  the  committee  to  propose  any 
question  touching  the  answers  given,  if  said  answers  should 
be  unsatisfactory.  It  shall  also  be  their  duty  to  make  out, 
sign,  and  deliver  to  the  conference  a  report  of  each  case 
which  may  have  been  before  them. 


MINISTRY   OF   THE  CHURCH  '     51 

Election  to  Elders'  Orders. 

6.  If  the  committee  and  conference  find  the  candidate 
worthy,  by  a  majority  of  the  votes  of  the  elders  of  con- 
ference he  may  be  elected  to  ordination. 

Special  Provision. 

7.  When  circumstances  demand  it,  a  licentiate  may  be 
presented  to  the  conference  for  ordination  at  any  time 
prior  to  a  probation  of  four  years,  provided  two-thirds  of 
the  elders  present  vote  for  the  same. 

Duties   of  an  Elder. 

8.  It  is  the  duty  of  an  elder  to  preach  the  gospel,  to  ad- 
minister the  sacraments  of  baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper, 
to  solemnize  marriages,  to  perform  all  parts  of  divine  serv- 
ice, to  be  an  example  to  others  by  himself  following  the 
Saviour's  example  ;  and  in  a  very  special  manner  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  an  elder  to  cherish  and  encourage  young 
ministers,  and  always  to  be  looking  for  those  whom  God 
has  called  to  preach,  and  advise  them  to  take  up  the  cross 
and  begin  work  without  delay,  or,  in  case  it  is  required,  to 
enter  upon  the  fullest  preparation,  that  the  gathering  of 
the  gospel  harvest  may  be  faithfully  performed. 

Section  VII. 

PRESIDING    ELDERS. 

Election   of  Presiding  Elders. 

1.  Presiding  elders  shall  be  elected  by  the  annual  con- 
ferences by  ballot.  A  majority  of  the  whole  number  of 
votes  shall  be  necessary  to  a  choice. 

Support  of  Presiding  Elders. 

2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  several  annual  confer- 
ences to  make  such  regulations  for  the  support  of  presid- 
ing elders  as  they  in  their  wisdom  may  think  best  calcu- 
lated to  accomplish  the  desired  end. 

Stationing   Presiding   Elders. 

3.  Presiding  elders  shall  be  stationed  by  the  bishop  and 
two  elders  or  preachers  elected  by  ballot  from  each  presid- 
ing-elder  district. 


52  DISCIPLINE 

Duties  of  Presiding  Elders. 

4.  The  duties  of  a  presiding  elder  are :  To  travel  through 
the  district  appointed  him,  to  preach  as  often  as  practica- 
ble, and  to  give  special  attention  to  promoting  the  interests 
of  home  missions,  church  erection,  and  education.  He  shall 
aim  to  have  all  assessments  paid  in  full  on  his  district. 

5.  He  shall  appoint  the  quarterly  conferences  and 
camp-meetings,  aud  attend  them  when  practicable.  He 
shall  hold  quarterly  conferences  and  administer  the  or- 
dinances of  God's  house.  He  shall  inquire  whether  preach- 
ers do  their  duty,  and  exhort  them  to  maintain  discipline 
and  order,  love  and  reverence,  in  the  Church.  He  shall 
look  after  the  organization  of  Young  People's  societies  on 
his  district,  and  make  inquiry  in  the  quarterly  conferences 
as  to  the  work  of  the  societies,  and  keep  a  record  of  the 
number  of  members  and  the  names  of  corresponding  secre- 
taries and  their  addresses,  and  report  them  to  the  corre- 
sponding secretary  of  the  Branch  Union.  He  may  call 
extra  sessions  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

6.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  make  strict  inquiry  whether 
each  pastor  has  received  the  amount  of  salary  due  him, 
and  in  case  of  a  deficiency,  to  make  an  earnest  effort  to 
secure  the  amount  due. 

7.  The  presiding  elder  shall  earnestly  endeavor  to  arouse 
the  membership  of  the  Church  to  a  more  uniform  per- 
formance of  their  duties  in  the  support  of  the  ministry ; 
and  he  shall  from  time  to  time  suggest  to  the  quarterly 
conference  the  most  practicable  means  for  meeting  their 
financial  obligations. 

8.  At  the  second  quarterly  conference  of  each  year,  the 
presiding  elders  shall  examine  the  boards  of  trustees  of 
church-houses  and  parsonages  as  to  their  having  procured 
articles  of  incorporation  according  to  the  laws  of  the  State 
and  the  regulations  of  the  Church,  and  shall  give  such  in- 
structions as  may  be  necessary. 

9.  En  oh  presiding  elder  shall  make  a  report,  in  writing, 
of  his  district,  annually,  to  the  annual  conference. 

Vacancies. 

10.  Should  any  district,  through  death,  resignation,  or 
otherwise,  be  without  a  presiding  elder,  information  shall 
be  immediately  given  to  the  bishop,  who  shall  appoint  an 


MINISTRY    OF   THE   CHUECH  53 

elder   to   preside  in  said   district  until   the  ensuing   annual 
conference. 

Power  to  Exchange  Pastors. 

11.  Should  it  become  desirable  to  exchange  the  pastors 
of  two  charges  on  his  district,  the  presiding  elder  may,  in 
conjunction  with  two  elders,  preachers,  exhorters,  or  lead- 
ers (one  from  each  charge),  change  the  said  pastors. 

Power  to  Dismiss  Pastors. 

12.  The  presiding  elder  may,  in  conjunction  with  the 
quarterly  conference,  dismiss  a  pastor  from  his  charge  for 
inefficiency  or  neglect  of  duty. 

13.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  fill  any  vacancy  in  the  pas- 
torates on  his  district  caused  by  death,  resignation,  or 
otherwise. 

Section  VIII. 

BISHOPS. 

Election  of  Bishops. 

1.  The  General  Conference  shall  elect  bishops  for  the 
term  of  four  years,  who  may,  at  the  option  of  the  confer- 
ence, be  reelected. 

Holding  Conferences. 

2.  The  bishops  shall  arrange  the  time  of  holding  the 
several  conferences,  and  attend  and  preside  over  them  as 
the  General  Conference  shall  direct. 

Salaries  of  Bishops. 

3.  The  General  Conference  shall  fix  the  salaries  of  the 
bishops.  Apportionments  to  meet  these  salaries  shall  be 
made  to  the  Church  by  the  bishops.  Apportionments  thus 
made  to  the  annual  conferences  and  mission  districts  shall 
be  apportioned  to  the  various  fields  of  labor  according  to 
the  ability  of  each. 

Residences    of   Bishops, 

4.  Each  bishop  shall  reside  within  the  bounds  of  the 
district  to  which  he  shall  be  assigned.  The  bishops  shall 
be  assigned  to  their  respective  districts  by  a  committee  of 


54  DISCIPLINE 

three  from  each  district,  to  be  elected  by  the  delegates  from 
that  district  assembled  for  that  purpose. 

Duties  of  Bishops. 

PRESIDING  AT   CONFERENCES. 

5.  It  is  the  duty  of  bishops  to  preside  over  the  annual 
and  General  conferences,  and  strictly  examine  into  the 
moral  and  official  character  of  the  members  of  the  annual 
conferences  in  the  bounds  of  their  districts,  and  see  that 
all  the  laws  of  the  Church  are  faithfully  executed.  It  is 
also  provided  that  the  bishops  shall  have  power  to  inter- 
change with  each  other  in  the  holding  of  conferences  when 
they  deem  it  necessary  or  expedient  to  do  so. 

STATIONING   OF   PREACHERS. 

6.  For  stationing  presiding  elders,  see  "Stationing  Pre- 
siding Elders,"  page  51.  For  stationing  pastors,  see  "Sta- 
tioning Committee,"  page  60. 

ORDINATION    OF   PREACHERS. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  bishops  to  perform  the 
rite  of  ordination  at  the  annual  conferences,  and  at  such 
other  times  and  places  as  circumstances  may  require,  but 
only  upon  such  persons  as  have  passed  the  usual  exami- 
ration  required  of  candidates  for  ordination,  by  a  com- 
mittee of  three  elders  chosen  for  that  purpose  by  one  of  the 
bishops, 

ANNUAL    MEETINGS. 

8.  The  bishops  shall  hold  annual  meetings,  in  which 
they  shall  determine  the  time  of  holding  the  annual  con- 
ferences ;  decide  questions  of  discipline ;  adopt  measures 
to  secure  uniformity  in  their  administration ;  and  when 
circumstances  demand  it,  appoint  fast  and  thanksgiving 
seasons,  and  counsel  upon  the  general  interests  of  the 
Church. 

SPECIAL     SESSIONS. 

9.  The  bishop  of  any  district  shall  reconvene  any  an- 
nual conference,  when  requested  to  do  so  by  the  majority 
of  said  conference. 


MINISTfiY   OF   THE   CHUBCH  55 

ORGANIZING    MISSION     CONFERENCES. 

10.     In  conjunction  with  the  Board  of  Missions,  a  bishop 
shall  have  power  to  organize  mission  conferences. 

■  11.  The  bishops  shall  confer  with  the  presiding  elders 
and  pastors,  to  secure  definite  aims  and  wise  methods  for 
the  development  of  the  interests  of  home  missions,  foreign 
missions,  and  church  erection,  and  shall  devote  as  much 
of  their  time  as  practicable  to  visiting  our  mission  stations 
and  exploring  new  fields. 


GENERAL    FINANCIAL     AND    EDUCATIONAL    INTERESTS. 

12.     The    bishops    shall    devote    attention    to   the   general 
financial  and  educational  interests  of  the  Church. 


REPORTS. 

13.  The  bishops  shall  publish  annually,  in  the  columns 
of  the  Religious  Telescope  and  Frohliche  Botschafter,  re- 
ports of  their  respective  districts,  and  also  the  amount  of 
salary  received  from  the  several  annual  conferences  in 
their   charge. 

VACANT  DISTRICTS. 

14.  Should  any  district  be  deprived  of  a  bishop  by 
death  or  otherwise,  the  remaining  bishops  shall  provide 
for  the  appointment  and  holding  of  the  annual  conferences 
composing  such  vacant  district. 


ANNUAL    ADDRESS    AND    SERMON. 

15.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  bishops  to  see  that  a 
suitable  address  be  delivered  to  the  preachers  present,  and 
a  sermon  on  the  Sabbath  at  each  annual  conference. 


THE    FOREIGN    FIELD. 

16.     The  foreign  field  shall   be  under  the  supervision  of 
the  Board  of  Bishops  and  the  Board  of  Missions, 


58  DISCIPLINE 

Section   IX. 

TRIAL   OF    PREACHERS. 

Quarterly-Conference  Preachers. 

1.  When  a  quarterli^-conference  preacher  or  exhorter 
is  accused  of  any  misdemeanor,  the  leader  or  steward 
shall  prosecute  the  case,  and  shall  inquire  into  the  nature 
of  the  complaints,  and  if  there  be  grounds  for  charges  he 
shall  present  to  the  accused  a  copy  of  the  charges  and 
notify  him  to  choose  a  committeeman,  and  the  prosecutor 
shall  choose  a  second  committeeman ;  these  two  a  third ; 
and  this  committee  shall  try  the  case,  the  preacher  in 
charge   being   chairman, 

2.  If  the  accused  refuse,  or  neglect,  or  fail,  or  be  unable 
to  choose  a  committeeman  after  being  properly  notified, 
the  quarterly  conference  shall  choose  a  first  and  second 
person,  and  these  two  a  third,  and  this  committee  shall 
hear  the  case  and  decide.  If  the  accused  is  found  guilty, 
he  shall  be  silenced ;  provided,  however,  that  either  party 
shall  have  the  right  of  appeal  to  the  next  quarterly  con- 
ference for  a  new  trial. 

Annual-Conference  Preachers. 

3.  When  a  preacher,  elder,  or  bishop  is  reported  guilty 
of  immorality,  trespass,  imprudent  conduct,  or  disobedi- 
ence to  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church,  the 
preacher  to  whom  it  is  known  shall  take  with  him 
another  preacher,  exhorter,  or  leader,  and  examine  into 
the  charge;  but  as  the  apostle  says  (I.  Tim.  5:19), 
"against  an  elder  receive  not  an  accusation,  but  before 
two  or  three  witnesses."  If  it  should  appear  that  said  re- 
ports are  well  founded,  the  examiners  shall  prefer  charges 
against  the  accused ;  if  not,  they  shall  report  to  the  next 
quarterly  conference  of  which  the  accused  is  a  member 
that  they  found  no  cause  of  action.  If  charges  are  pre- 
ferred and  no  one  be  found  willing  to  prosecute  the  case, 
then  the  said  quarterly  conferences  shall  appoint  a  prose- 
cutor, whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  notify  the  accused,  in 
writing,  of  all  the  charges  preferred  against  him.  He 
shall  also  notify  him  to  choose  an  elder  as  his  committee- 
man, the  prosecutor  choosing  an  elder  as  his  committee- 
man, in  behalf  of  the  Church,  and  they  two  a  third  elder 
or    preacher,    before    which    committee    the    case    shall    be 


MIKISTKY    OF   THE   CHUKCH  57 

tried.  The  prosecutor  shall  also  notify  the  presiding  eider 
of  the  district  within  whose  bounds  said  cause  of  accusa- 
tion occurred ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding 
elder  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of  trial,  giving  not  less 
than  twenty  nor  more  than  forty  days'  notice,  to  the 
parties  concerned,  of  said  trial ;  and  he  shall  also  act  as 
chairman  in  the  case.  Should  a  majority  of  the  commit- 
tee be  satisiied  that  the  accusation  is  sustained,  they  shall 
require  him  to  hold  his  peace  until  the  annual  conference, 
where  he  shall  be  accountable,  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  committee,  to  transmit  in  writing  the  entire  proceed- 
ings of  said  trial  to  the  annual  conference,  where  the 
accused  shall  have  a  hearing  before  the  conference,  or  a 
select  committee  thereof ;  and  if  the  findings  are  sustained, 
he  shall  be  suspended,  expelled,  or  otherwise  dealt  with, 
as  the  conference  may  determine.  But  should  the  ac- 
cused, after  having  been  duly  notified,  refuse  or  neglect  to 
comply  in  choosing  his  committeemen  and  notifying  the 
prosecutor  within  fifteen  days,  the  presiding  elder  shall 
suspend  him  until  the  annual  conference,  where,  if  he 
shall  refuse  to  appear,  he  shall  be  dealt  with  according  to 
the  judgment  of  the  conference ;  provided,  however,  if  he 
be  an  elder,  elders  only  shall  vote  in  the  case ;  and  pro- 
vided further,  that  if  the  committeemen  chosen  by  the 
prosecutor  and  accused  fail  to  agree  as  to  the  third  mem- 
ber of  the  committee,  then  the  quarterly  conference  shall 
appoint  said  committeeman.  If  the  accused  or  prose- 
cutor be  a  presiding  elder  or  bishop,  the  presiding  elder 
or  bishop,  as  the  case  may  be,  next  adjoining,  shall  act  as 
chairman  in  the  trial ;  provided,  that  in  conferences  hav- 
ing only  one  presiding  elder,  the  bishop  shall  appoint  a 
chairman  to  act  in  the  case. 

4.  The  foregoing  relates  only  to  annual-conference  mem- 
bers. 

Section  X. 

MARRIAGE — WHO    MAY    SOLEMNIZE. 

All  ordained  ministers,  and  those  that  have  obtained 
license  from  an  annual  conference,  where  the  law  of  the 
State  makes  it  the  privilege  of  every  regularly  licensed 
minister  to  solemnize  marriage,  are  authorized  to  solemnize 
marriage ;  but  none  having  quarterly-conference  license  only 
are  permitted  to  do  so. 


58  DISCIPLINE 

Section  XI. 
preacher's  duties  in  general, 

1.  The  duties  of  preachers  are,  to  preach  Christ  cruci- 
fied ;  to  form  classes,  and  report  the  same  to  annual  con- 
ferences ;  converse  with  the  members  on  their  spiritual 
condition ;  administer  relief ;  strengthen  and  direct  those 
that  are  afflicted  or  labor  under  temptations ;  animate 
the  indolent ;  endeavor  as  much  as  possible  to  edify  and 
instruct  all  in  faith,  in  the  Christian  virtues,  and  in  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ ;  visit  the  sick ;  and  strive  to 
enforce  and  confirm  the  doctrine  they  deliver  by  a  well- 
ordered  and  exemplary  life. 

Directions   to   Preachers. 

2.  Let  preachers  heed  the  following  directions : 

(1)  Be  diligent.  Never  trifle  away  your  time.  Al- 
ways be  serious.  Let  your  motto  be  "Holiness  unto 
THE  Lord."  Avoid  all  vain  conversation,  conduct  your- 
self prudently  with  women,  and  demean  yourself  in  all 
respects  as  a  true  Christian.  Be  at  all  times  averse  to 
crediting  evil  reports.  Believe  evil  of  no  one  without  good 
evidence.     Put  the  best  construction  on  everything. 

(2)  Speak  evil  of  no  one.  Whatever  may  be  your 
thoughts,  keep  them  within  your  own  breast  until  you 
can  tell  the  person  concerned  what  you  think  wrong  in  his 
<;onduct. 

(3)  Let  your  business  be  to  save  as  many  souls  as 
possible.  To  this  employment  give  yourself  up  wholly. 
Visit  those  who  need  it,  and  act  in  all  things,  not  accord- 
ing to  your  own  will,  but  as  sons  in  the  gospel ;  for  as 
such  it  becomes  your  duty  to  employ  your  time  in  the 
manner  prescribed,  in  preaching,  and  in  visiting  from 
house  to  house,  in  instruction  and  prayer,  and  in  meditat- 
ing on  the  Word  of  God.  With  these  things  be  occupied 
until  our  Lord  shall  come. 

Preachers  Not  to   Trespass. 

3.  No  preacher  shall  arbitrarily  form  a  circuit,  mission, 
or  station  within  the  limits  of  a  circuit  or  presiding-elder 
district,  or  shall  receive  compensation  for  labor  performed, 
without   the   consent  of  the  preacher  in   charge;    nor  shall 


MINISTRY    OF   THE   CHURCH  59 

any  minister  preaching  in  a  different  language  accept  a 
call  from  any  regularly  organized  class  or  congregation 
which  does  not  belong  to  his  conference,  without  the  consent 
of  the  annual  conference  to  which  the  charge  making  the 
request  may  belong.  Any  preacher  violating  the  provis- 
ions of  this  section  shall  be  amenable  to  his  quarterly  or 
annual  conference. 


CHAPTER  VII. 
Itinerancy. 
Section   I. 

ITINERANTS. 

How  Constituted. 

1.  All  who  propose  themselves  without  reserve,  after 
having  labored  two  years  under  the  direction  of  the  sta- 
tioning committee  or  presiding  elder,  and  have  been  re- 
ceived as  such  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  members 
of  conference,  shall  be  recognized  as  itinerants. 

Withdrawing  from  the  Itinerancy. 

2.  If  any  one  who  is  thus  received  shall  withdraw  from 
active  work  without  giving  satisfaction  to  the  conference 
of  which  he  is  a  member,  he  shall  not  be  entitled  to  any 
support  from  the  funds  belonging  to  said  conference. 
And,  furthermore,  he  shall  not  reenter  the  itinerancy 
without  the  consent  of  at  least  two-thirds  of  the  confer- 
ence. Yet  supernumerary  and  superannuated  relations  shall 
be  duly  recognized  as  in  accordance  with  this  requirement, 
and  may  be  secured  to  any  brother  having  just  claims 
thereto,  by  a  vote  of  the  conference. 

Pastor^s  Resignation. 

3.  Should  a  pastor  desire  to  leave  the  work  assigned  him, 
he  must  inform  the  presiding  elder  of  his  intention,  in  writ- 
ing, and  satisfy  him  that  all  his  obligations  to  the  charge 
have  been  satisfactorily  adjusted  ;  and  should  any  one  leave 
or  neglect  his  charge,  except  it  be  through  sickness  or 
other  unavoidable  circumstances,  he  shall  be  accountable 
to  the  next  annual  conference. 

Stationing  Committee. 

4.  The  bishop  and  presiding  elders  of  the  past  and  pres- 
ent years  shall  constitute  a  stationing  committee,  whose 
duty   it   shall    be   to   supply   all   the  circuits,   stations,    and 

60 


ITINERANCY  61 

missions,  as  far  as  practicable,  from  the  list  of  itinerants ; 
provided,  however,  that  where  there  is  but  one  presiding 
elder  on  the  committee,  the  conference  may  elect  to  the 
same  another  elder  from  the  elders  not  asking  for  work 
from  said  committee. 

5.  The  stationing  committee  shall  have  at  least  two 
meetings  before  its  work  is  completed. 

Appeal    from    Stationing    Committee's    Report. 

6.  If  any  of  the  preachers  thus  stationed,  or  any  who 
may  not  receive  an  appointment,  are  dissatisfied,  they  shall 
have  a  right  to  appeal  to  the  annual  conference.  If  two- 
thirds  grant  the  appeal,  the  decision  shall  be  final.  In  case 
of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  the  stationing  committee, 
no  preacher  stationed  by  said  committee  shall  be  changed, 
without  his  consent,  to  accommodate  the  preacher  making 
such  appeal.  In  no  case  shall  preachers  be  permitted  to 
exchange  charges,  except  in  the  manner  provided  for  in 
paragraph  11  of  Section  VII.,  of  Chapter  VI.,  page  52. 

Report  of  Stationing  Committee. 

7.  The  report  of  the  stationing  committee  shall  be  read 
at  least  six  hours  before  the  adjournment  of  conference. 

Employment  of  Other  Preachers. 

8.  Should  there  not  be  enough  itinerants  to  supply  all 
the  circuits,  stations,  and  missions,  the  remaining  charges 
shall  be  supplied  by  the  stationing  committee  or  presiding 
elders. 

Pastoral  (Jnarges. 

9.  A  circuit  or  station  shall  not  consist  of  any  specific 
number  of  members  or  appointments ;  but  when  the  an- 
nual conference  judges  it  able  to  support  a  minister,  it 
may  be  so  recognized. 

10.  The  pastor  shall  have  full  control  of  his  pulpit,  and 
no  board  of  trustees  shall  permit  any  one  to  preach  therein 
without  his  consent. 

Section  II. 

DUTIES    OF    ITINERANTS. 

1.  It  is  the  duty  of  an  itinerant  preacher  to  take  the 
charge  assigned  him,  and  to  move  to  it  if  practicable. 


62  DISCIPLINE 

2.  He  shall  visit  regularly  the  appointments  on  his 
charge,  preach  to  the  people,  and  hold  class-meetings  when- 
ever practicable,  and  whenever  possible  organize  and  main- 
tain Young  People's  Christian  societies. 

Revision  of  Church  Records. 

3.  He,  in  connection  with  the  leader  and  steward  or 
stewards  of  each  class, — on  stations,  in  connection  with 
the  official  board, — shall  at  least  one  month  before  annual 
conference  revise  the  church  records.  The  duties  of  the 
committee  on  revision  shall  be  essentially  clerical,  and 
the  name  of  no  member  shall  be  erased  from  the  records 
unless  the  disciplinary  steps  shall  have  been  taken.  (See 
Chapter  IV.,  Section  II.,  paragraph  18,  page  24;  Chapter 
IV.,  Section  III.,  page  25 ;  and  Chapter  V.,  Section  I.,  para- 
graph 3,  page  29.) 

Annual   Reorganization, 

4.  He,  in  connection  with  the  leader  and  steward  or 
stewards  of  each  class, — on  stations,  in  connection  with 
the  official  board, — shall,  at  the  time  when  the  records 
are  revised,  appoint  a  steward  or  stewards,  subject  to  the 
approval  of  the  class.  He  shall  hold  a  meeting  of  the 
class  and  see  that  a  class-leader  is  elected. 

Presiding   at   Trials. 

5.  He  shall  sit  as  president  at  the  trial  of  members  and 
see  that  a  correct  account  of  the  same  is  kept. 

Reports. 

6.  He  shall  render  a  strict  account  (as  indicated  in 
Form  15,  page  170)  of  his  work  at  each  quarterly  confer- 
ence, where  he  is  to  be  held  accountable  for  neglect  of 
duty. 

Circulation  of  Literature. 

7.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  use  every  laudable  effort  to 
circulate  our  books  and  Church  periodicals,  and  to  use  due 
diligence  to  advance  the  interests  of  the  Church  Printing 
Establishment. 

8.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  keep  a  list  of  the  names  of  all 
the  subscribers  to  our  Church  periodicals,  and  the  time 
of  subscribing,  at  the  different  appointments  on  his  charge, 
and  hand  it  over  to  his  successor  at  the  annual  conference. 


ITINERANCY  63^ 

with  the  list  of  the  appointments.  He  shall  also  report 
the  number  of  subscribers  to  our  periodicals  on  his  charge 
at  each  quarterly  conference,  and  be  examined  by  the  pre- 
siding elder  and  quarterly  conference  as  to  whether  he  per- 
forms his  duty  in  circulating  the  periodicals  of  the  Church 
among  the  people. 

Dismissal  of  Appointments. 

9.  A  preacher  is  not  permitted  to  dismiss  any  appoint- 
ment from  his  circuit  or  mission  without  the  consent  of  the 
quarterly  conference. 

Records. 

10.  He  shall  procure  a  suitable  book  for  a  church  rec- 
ord, in  which  he  shall  register  all  the  appointments  and 
classes  on  his  circuit,  station,  or  mission,  in  regular  order,, 
with  the  name  of  each  member  properly  recorded  in  con- 
nection with  his  own  class.  He  shall  also  make  a  record  of  all 
the  baptisms,  marriages,  deaths,  and  proceedings  of  church 
trials,  with  the  names  of  all  the  parties  in  each  case.  He 
shall  report  this  record  with  the  proceedings  therein  to  the 
last  quarterly  conference  of  each  year  for  approval  or  im- 
provement. This  book  shall  be  the  property  of  the  quarterly 
conference,  and  shall  be  in  addition  to  the  regular  class- 
books  and  circuit-books. 

General   Collections. 

11.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  preacher  in  charge  of 
a  field  of  labor  to  collect  the  annual  amount  apportioned  ta 
his  charge  for  the  support  of  the  bishops  and  presiding 
elders,  and  also  all  other  conference  assessments.  And 
should  he  fail  to  collect  in  full  and  not  be  able  to  give  a 
satisfactory  reason  for  such  a  failure,  he  shall  be  account- 
able to  the  annual  conference. 

Missionary  Collections. 

12.  He  shall  hold  a  general  missionary  meeting  at 
some  convenient  place  on  his  work.  He  shall  also  preach 
a    missionary    sermon,    and    appoint    a    soliciting    committee 

.  at  every  appointment,  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  in  conjunc- 
tion with  himself,  to  canvass  the  church  and  community 
personally,  and  solicit  funds  for  the  Missionary  Society. 
He  shall  also  keep  a  list  of  the  names  of  contributors,  as 


64  DISCIPLINE 

far  as  possible,  and  report  the  same  to  conference  for  pub- 
lication with  the  minutes.  He  shall  also  establish  monthly 
missionary  prayer-meetings  wherever  practicable  in  the 
societies  of  his  charge.  He  shall  be  held  to  strict  account 
for  the  faithful  performance  of  these  duties. 

Pastoral  Visiting. 

13.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  preacher  in  charge  of  a 
station  or  circuit  to  give  as  much  of  his  time  as  possible 
to  visiting  the  families  under  his  charge,  and  to  pay  strict 
attention  to  the  young  members  under  his  care.  This 
private  work  of  visiting  from  house  to  house  and  exhort- 
ing the  people  is  founded  on  these  solemn  words  of  the 
apostle :  "I  kept  back  nothing  that  was  profitable  unto 
you,  but  have  shewed  you,  and  have  taught  you  publicly, 
and  from  house  to  house"    (Acts  20:20). 

Home  Training  of  Children. 

14.  Because  of  the  powerful  and  far-reaching  influence 
of  home  life  upon  the  young,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each 
pastor  to  direct  the  attention  of  his  people  to  the  vital 
importance  of  family  government  and  Christian  nurture. 
He  shall  do  this  publicly  and  privately  by  directing  atten- 
tion to  books  and  periodicals  giving  helpful  instruction 
upon  this  subject,  and  also  by  presenting  in  his  public 
ministrations  the  teaching  of  God's  Word  respecting  the 
duty  of  parents  to  train  up  their  children  in  the  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

Evangelistic    Work. 

15.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  all  preachers,  whether  local 
or  itinerant,  to  make  every  laudable  effort  to  enlarge  the 
borders  of  our  Zion,  to  spread  scriptural  holiness,  and  to 
report  to  their  respective  annual  conferences  the  number 
of   new  appointments  established. 

Section   III. 

preachers'  salaries. 

1.  The  salary  of  a  pastor  shall  be  such  amount  as  may 
be  agreed  upon  between  him  and  the  quarterly  conference 
of  the  field  of  labor  to  which  he  is  sent ;   and  said  agree- 


ITINERANCY  65 

ment  shall  be  a  valid  contract  between  the  parties  there- 
to. When  a  charge  owns  a  parsonage,  or  rents  a  house 
for  the  pastor  to  live  in,  the  charge, shall  have  credit  for 
the  same  by  the  pastor  reporting  as  so  much  salary  the 
amount  the  parsonage  would  rent  for  or  the  amount  paid 
for  the  rented  house. 

2.  A  missionary  employed  by  the  Board  of  Missions 
shall  receive  such  salary  as  in  the  judgment  of  the  Board 
may  be  proper. 

Superannuated    Preachers. 

3.  Preachers  sustaining  a  superannuated  relation,  and 
the  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  ministers,  shall  be 
provided  for  by  their  respective  annual  conferences,  as 
their  wants  may  require. 

Parsonage  and  Moving  of  Preacher. 

4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  a  circuit  or  station,  when  a 
preacher  is  sent  to  it  by  an  annual  conference,  to  provide 
a  house  and  move  the  preacher  at  its  own  expense. 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

Deaconesses. 

Section  I. 

DEACONESSES — IN    LOCAJL    CHURCHES. 

1.  When  any  sister  of  suitable  age,  health,  ability,  cul- 
ture, and  piety,  wishes  to  become  a  deaconess,  she  shall 
receive  a  recommendation  to  the  quarterly  conference  from 
the  class  where  she  holds  her  membership.  If,  after  ex- 
amination by  the  presiding  elder,  or  a  committee  appointed 
by  him,  she  is  approved  by  the  quarterly  conference,  she 
shall  receive  license  to  perform  the  duties  of  a  deaconess 
in  the  local  church,  said  license  subject  to  annual  renewal. 

2.  Her  duties  shall  be  to  teach  in  the  Sunday  school, 
the  kindergarten,  the  Young  People's  Christian  Union,  and 
in  the  houses  of  the  people  such  religious  and  otherwise 
useful  knowledge  as  may  be  needed ;  to  visit  from  house  to 
house,  reading,  singing,  teaching,  exhorting,  or  comforting 
the  people,  as  the  case  may  require ;  to  nurse,  or  otherwise 
minister  to  the  sick  and  needy ;  to  solicit  funds  or  supplies, 
and  distribute  the  same ;  all  under  the  direction  of  the  pas- 
tor, to  whom  she  shall  report  as  often  as  he  may  desire. 

3.  A  uniform  costume  shall  be  selected  by  a  committee 
appointed  by  the  bishops,  to  distinguish  and  protect  her. 

4.  The  deaconess  work  is  a  high  and  holy  calling  for 
sacrificial  service.  Each  local  church  must  provide  for  any 
necessary  expense  attending  this  work,  always,  however, 
encouraging  those  who  enter  upon  this  service  to  do  so 
for  the  love  of  Christ  and  humanity. 

5.  No  one  shall  be  required  to  make  a  perpetual  vow 
in  this  work,  but  any  one  may  retire  from  this  office  at 
pleasure,  after  giving  the  pastor  the  proper  notice. 

6.  The  deaconess  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly 
conference  where  she  serves,  and  shall  be  responsible  to  it 
for  her  moral  and  official  character.    ' 

7.  If  the  deaconess  is  deficient  in  any  of  the  common-school 
studies,  she  must  pass  examination  in  these,  along  with  the 
following  course  of  study.     The  presiding  elder  and  pastor 

66 


DEACONESSES  67 

shall   conduct  the   examination   in  writing   annually,   or   on 
part  of  the  course  quarterly,  as  the  candidate  may  desire. 

COURSE  OF   STUDY. 

First  Year. 

The  English  Bible. 
.  Synthetic   Bible    Studies — Gray. 
With   Christ  in  the  School  of  Prayer — Murray. 
Life  of  Christ — Stalker. 
United  Brethren  Handbook — Shuey. 
United  Brethren  Discipline. 
Deaconesses — Wheeler. 

Books  to  he  Read — 
Primer   of    Psychology — Ladd. 

History   of   the   United   Brethren   Church — Berger. 
Revivals — Torrey. 
Seven  Laws  of  Teaching — Gregory. 

Second   Year. 

The  English  Bible. 

Outline   Bible    Studies — Dunning. 

Revised   Normal    Lessons — Hurlbut. 

Christian    Character — Kilpatrick. 

Theology — Weaver. 

Life  of  St.   Paul— Stalker. 

Social  Law  of   Service — Ely. 

Books  to  be  Read — 

The  Tongue  of  Fire — Arthur. 

The  Christian's  Secret  of  a  Happy  Life — Smith, 

Bible   Geography — Hurlbut. 

Manual   of  Nursing — Weeks. 

The  deaconess  desirous  to  become  a  nurse  should  take 
the  course  of  training  for  that  purpose  in  a  school  con- 
nected with  a  good  hospital. 

8.  On  the  completion  of  the  course  of  study,  and  two 
years'  practical  work  under  the  direction  of  a  pastor,  or  an 
equivalent  course  in  an  approved  training  school,  or  liter- 
ary school  providing  such  courses,  the  deaconess  shall  be 
consecrated  to  this  service  by  a  bishop  or  presiding  elder, 
and  receive  a  permanent  license. 


68  DISCIPLINE 

Consecration   of   Deaconess. 

Singing.     "Must  Jesus  bear   the  cross  alone?" 

Scripture  reading.     Matt.  25. 

Singing.     "It  may  not  be  on  the  mountain  height." 

Invocation. 

Address. 

Prayer  of  consecration. 

Singing.     "Take  my  life  and  let  it  be." 

Section   II. 

DEACONESS    HOMES. 

When  a  majority  of  the  pastors  of  our  Church  in  a 
city  or  conference  wish  to  establish  a  deaconess  home,  they 
must  first  submit  their  plans  to  the  Board  of  Bishops,  at 
one  of  its  annual  meetings;  and  if  the  matter  is  approved 
by  this  board,  it  shall  prepare  rules  and  regulations  ac- 
cording to  which  a  deaconess  home  shall  be  founded  and 
managed. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Courses  of  Study. 

Section  I. 

QUARTERLY-CONFERENCE     PREACHERS. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  person  receiving  a  quar- 
terly-conference license  to  preach  to  pursue  the  following 
course  of  study : 

First    Year. 

English   Grammar. 

United   Brethren   Handbook — Shuey. 

The  Bible:   The   Sunday-School  Text-Book— Holborn. 

Leading  Facts  of  American  History — Montgomery. 

Studies   in   the   Four  Gospels — Hurlbut. 

United    Brethren    Discipline. 

Seven  Laws  of  Teaching — Gregory. 

Boohs  to  he  Read — 
Life  of  Otterbein — Drury. 
The    Familj' — Bookwalter. 

Second   Year. 

General   History — Barnes. 
Outline  Bible  Studies — Dunning. 
Theological    Compend — Steele's    Binney. 
The  Confession  of  Faith — Weaver. 
Bible  History — Blaikie. 
Handbook  of   Composition — Hart. 

Books  to  he  Read — 
Life  of   Edwards — Davis. 
Life   of   Weaver — Thompson. 

Examinations. 

2.  The  presiding  elder,  or  a  committee  appointed  by 
him,  shall  hold  examinations  each  year  in  the  books  stud- 
ied. A  quarterly-conference  licentiate  is  permitted  to  com- 
plete the  entire  course  in  one  year.     But  should  he  fail  to 

69 


70  DISCIPLINE 

complete  the  course  within  four  years  his  license  shall  not 
be  subject  to  renewal.  He  is  required  to  complete  the 
quarterly-conference  course  of  study  before  being  admitted 
to  the  annual  conference. 

Permanent   License. 

3.  Any  one  completing  the  above  course  of  study  and 
passing  satisfactory  examinations  in  the  same,  may  re- 
ceive a  license  certifying  to  that  fact,  and  not  requiring 
annual  renewal,  so  long  as  his  teaching  is  conformable  to 
the  doctrines  of  Christ,  as  held  by  our  Church,  and  his  de- 
portment is  in  harmony  with  the  requirements  of  our  Dis- 
cipline. 

Section  II. 

ANNUAL-CONFERENCE   PREACHERS. 

Examinations. 

1.  A  licentiate  preacher  is  to  be  examined  in  the  sub- 
joined course  of  study  by  the  annual  conference  to  which 
he  belongs,  and  shall  have  the  privilege  of  being  examined 
after  the  completion  of  one  or  more  studies  during  the  in- 
terim of  annual  conference,  and  the  examinations  on  the 
studies  shall  be  completed,  if  possible,  before  the  sitting  of 
the  conference.  The  examinations  shall  be  in  writing,  and 
graded  on  a  scale  of  100,  an  average  of  70  being  required. 

2.  To  assist  and  encourage  licentiates  in  their  studies, 
and  also  for  the  purpose  of  securing  greater  uniformity 
and  efficiency  in  the  examinations,  the  following  plan  shall 
be  pursued :  The  faculty  of  Union  Biblical  Seminary  shall 
each  year  prepare  a  list  of  from  fifty  to  two  hundred  ques- 
tions on  each  subject  of  study,  as  the  subject  may  require, 
and  shall  accompany  the  same  with  such  helpful  suggestions 
as  they  may  deem  best.  These  questions  shall  be  printed 
by  the  Publishing  House,  as  are  other  official  papers,  and 
shall  be  distributed  by  the  bishops  at  the  annual  confer- 
ences to  the  licentiates  and  the  examining  committees  at 
the  beginning  of  each  year's  study.  The  committee  on 
course  of  study  shall  select,  without  the  knowledge  of  the 
licentiates,  ten  or  more  of  these  questions  on  each  subject 
for  examination,  the  examination  always  being  conducted 
in  the  presence  of  one  or  more  of  the  examining  commit- 
tee.     Each   licentiate   shall   also   present   a   written   sermon 


COURSES   OF    STUDY  71 

in  connection  with  the  examination  of  each  year ;  and  if 
any  licentiate  fails  to  appear  before  his  committee  he  shall 
report  the  cause  of  his  absence. 

First  Year. 

Study  of  the  Bible  by  Books,  New  Testament — Sell. 
New  Acts  of  Apostles — Pierson. 
Art    of    Reading   and    Speaking — Fleming. 
United  Brethren  Church   History,  Part  I. — Berger. 
Homiletics — The  Preacher  and  His  Sermon,  Parts  I.  and 
II.— Etter. 

Manual  of  Discipline — Kephart. 
Theology,  Chs.  1-22— J.  Weaver. 

Books  to  be  Read — 
With  Christ  in  the  School  of  Prayer — Murray. 
Miracles  of  Missions — Pierson. 
Life   of   Glossbrenner — Drury. 

Second   Year. 

Theology,  Chs.  23-44— J.  Weaver. 
Study  of  the  Bible  by  Books,  Old  Testament— Sell. 
Homiletics — Parts    III.,    IV. — Etter. 

United  Brethren  Church  History,   Parts   II.,   III.,   IV. — 
Berger. 

Extemporaneous    Preaching — Buckley. 

Jevon's  Logic — Hill. 

Exegetical  Studies — Galatians  and  Gospel  of  John. 

Books  to  6e  Read — 
New  Era — Strong. 
Expansion-^Strong. 

Abraham ;  or  the  Obedience  of  Faith — Meyer. 
Autobiography  of  Finney. 

Third  Year. 

Systematic   Theology,   Vol.    I. — Miley. 

Psychology — Hill. 

Pastoral  Theology — Shedd. 

Exegetical    Studies — Exodus,    Hebrews. 

Recent  Researches  in  Bible  Lands — Hilprecht. 

Church    History — Fisher. 

Books  to  he  Read — 
Mosiac  Authorship  of  the  Pentateuch — MacDill. 


72  DISCIPLINE 

Social  Aspects  of  Christianity — Ely. 
The  Spiritual  Life — Murray. 

Fourth    Year. 

Systematic  Theology,  Vol.   II. — Miley. 

Butler's  Analogy — Malcolm. 

Ethics — McKenzie. 

New   Testament  Theology — Stevens. 

Apologetics — Kephart. 
Books  to  be  Read — 

Life  of  Muller— A.  T.  Pierson. 

Manual  of  Christian  Evidences— Fisher. 

Life  of  A.  J.  Gordon — by  his  son. 

Church  History — Schaff. 

Antiquities  of  the  Jews — Josephus. 

History  of  Christian  Doctrine — Sheldon. 

Grounds  of  Theistic  and  Christian  Belief — Fisher. 

History  of  the  Reformation — Fisher. 

Historical  Geography  of  the  Holy   Laud — Smith. 

Biblical    Hermeneutics — Terry. 

Theological  Encyclopedia  and  Methodology — Crooks  and 
Hurst. 

Encyclopedia    of    Religious    Knowledge — SchafE-Herzog. 

Political   Economy — Ely. 

Great  Missionaries  of  the  Church — Creegan  and  Good- 
now. 

Section  III. 

GERMAN  COURSE  OF  READING. 

Quarterly-G onference  Preachers. 

FIRST    YEAR. 

Doctrines. — The  presence  of  God,  t  e  personality  of 
God,  the  Trinity,  the  creation,  the  fall  of  man. 

Books. — The  Bible,  Discipline  of  the  United  Brethren 
Church,  "Christlich-Apostolisches  Glaubens-Bekenntniss," 
by  W.  Nast,  "Christologische  Betrachtungen,"  by  W.  Nast. 

SECOND    YEAR. 

Doctrines. — The  corruption  of  mankind,  repentance, 
faith,  justification,  regeneration,  witness  of  the  Spirit, 
sanctification,  possibility  of  falling  from  grace. 


COURSES  OF  STUDY  73 

Books. — The  Bible,  Church  Discipline,  Hare's  "Recht- 
fertigung  durch  den  Glauben,"  D'Aubigne's  "Reformations- 
Geschichte,"   "Bekampfung  des  Unglaubens,"  by  Christlieb. 

Annual-Conference  Preachers. 

FIRST    YEAK. 

Doctrines. — The  being  and  attributes  of  God,  the  Trinity, 
the  creation,  the  doctrine  of  the  angels,  the  doctrine  of 
mankind,  man  in  the  image  of  God,  the  fall  and  the  cor- 
ruption. 

Books. — The  Bible ;  Church  Discipline ;  Sulzberger's 
"Glaubenslehre" — First  Part ;  Luthardt's  "Apologetische 
Vortriige" — First  Part ;  Dr.  Joseph  Beck's  "Grundriss  der 
Empirischen  Psychologic" ;  Kurtz's  Text-Book  on  Sacred 
History  ;  Berger's  Church  History  of  the  United  Brethren ; 
Nippert's  "Praktische  Theologie" ;  Grammatik,  Heise's 
"Leitfaden — Die  Wortlehre"  ;  written  sermon  on  the  Sab- 
bath. 

SECOND    YEAB. 

Doctrines. — The  doctrines  of  Jesus  Christ,  doctrine  of 
the  personality  and  divinity  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  doctrine  of 
the  salvation  of  man,  conviction,  repentance,  faith,  justifi- 
cation, regeneration,  sanctification,  possibility  of  falling 
from   grace. 

Books. — The  Bible ;  Church  Discipline ;  Sulzberger's 
"Glaubenslehre" — Second  Part;  Luthardt's  "Apologetische 
Vortrage" — Second  Part ;  Weber's  "Einleitung  in  die  Heili- 
gen  Schriften";  "Das  Christliche  Heilsleben,"  by  F.  F. 
Paulus ;  Bishop  Hurst's  Church  History ;  Dittmar's  "Welt- 
Geschichte" — First  Part;  Grammatik,  Heise's  "Leitfaden 
— Die  Satzlehre" ;  vv^ritten  sermon  on  repentance  and  faith. 

THIRD    YEAR. 

Doctrines. — The  sacraments — baptism  and  the  Lord's 
Supper,  the  immortality  of  the  soul,  the  resurrection  of  the 
body,  the  future  general  judgment,  everlasting  rewards, 
and  everlasting  punishment. 

Books. — The  Bible;  Church  Discipline;  Sulzberger's 
"Glaubenslehre" — Third  Part  ;  the  Immortality  of  the  Soul, 
by  F.  L.  Nagler ;  D'Aubigne's  "Reformations-Geschichte" ; 
H.     Dittmar's      "Welt-Geschicte" — Second      Part;      Heise's 


74  DISCIPLINE 

Grammatik — Wiederholung  ;    W.    Sommer's    "Aufsatzlehre"  ; 
written  sermon  on  baptism. 

BOOKS   RECOMMENDED. 

Jellinghaus's  "Das  Voilige  Heil,"  and  C.  H.  Spurgeon's 
"Winke  fiir  Prediger,"  oder  23  Vorlesungen. 

Section   IV. 

COMPLETING    THE    COURSE. 

1.  Each  licentiate  is  expected  to  complete  the  pre- 
scribed course  within  four  years,  unless  good  reasons  exist 
for  delay. 

2.  Should  any  licentiate  fail  to  complete  the  course 
within  five  years,  he  may  be  referred  to  his  quarterly  con- 
ference. 

Seminary  Graduates. 

3.  Any  licentiate  who  has  completed  the  full  course  of 
study  in  Union  Biblical  Seminary,  and  has  passed  the 
examinations  entitling  him  to  a  diploma  from  that  institu- 
tion, may  be  excused  from  examinations  in  the  annual-con- 
ference course  of  study. 

Section  V. 

PREPARATION    FOR    THE    MINISTRY. 

We  urge  upon  all  who  contemplate  giving  themselves 
to  the  gospel  ministry  the  vital  importance  of  completing 
a  course  of  study  in  some  one  of  our  institutions  of  learn- 
ing, and,  in  addition,  a  course  in  Union  Biblical  Seminary. 
In  exceptional  cases,  wherein  circumstances  absolutely 
forbid  such  preparation,  there  should  be  the  utmost  dili- 
gence given  to  well-advised  reading  and  study  in  order  to 
successful  work  in  the  ministry.  "Study  to  shew  thy- 
self approved  unto  God,  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to 
be  ashamed,  rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth." 


CHAPTER  X,  ' 

Appeals. 
Section  I. 

FROM   THE   DECISION   OF    A    CLASS. 

Should  any  member  be  dissatisfied  with  the  decision 
of  a  church  or  class,  or  committee  of  a  church  or  class,  an 
appeal  may  be  had  to  the  next  quarterly  conference  by 
giving  notice  thereof  to  the  preacher  in  charge,  or  the 
secretary  of  the  trial,  within  thirty  days  after  said  trial, 
together  with  the  reasons  for  such  appeal ;  and  it  shall  be 
the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  furnish  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence with  a  certified  copy  of  the  proceedings  of  the  trial 
and  of  the  notice  of  the  appeal. 

Section   II. 

from  the  decision  of  a  quarterly  conference. 

Any  member  of  a  quarterly  conference  dissatisfied  with 
the  decision  thereof,  may  appeal  to  the  ensuing  annual  con- 
ference, within  thirty  days  after  the  quarterly  conference, 
by  giving  notice  to  the  secretary,  in  writing,  of  his  inten- 
tion to  appeal,  together  with  his  reasons  for  so  doing ;  and 
it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  furnish  a  certified 
copy  of  the  proceedings,  the  notification,  and  the  reasons 
assigned,  to  the  annual  conference. 

Section   III. 
court   of   appeals. 

1.  Any  member  of  an  annual  conference,  when  dis- 
satisfied with  the  decision  thereof,  shall  have  a  right  to 
appeal  to  a  judicial  court,  which  shall  be  constituted  and 
governed  as  hereinafter  stated. 

2.  Each   annual   conference,    at   the   first  session   subse- 

75 


76  .  DISCIPLINE 

quent  to  the  session  of  the  General  Conference,  shall  elect 
•  by  ballot  two  members  of  the  court,  who  shall  hold  office 
for  four  consecutive  years. 

3.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  an  annual  conference  in 
form  and  manner  hereinafter  set  forth,  the  presiding  bishop 
of  said  conference  shall,  at  such  time  and  place  as  he  may 
determine,  call  together  seven  of  the  members  of  the  court 
most  accessible  to  the  conference  from  which  the  appeal  is 
taken,  who,  thus  called  together,  shall  constitute  an  appellate 
court  to  hear  and  determine  said  appeal. 

4.  This  court  shall  organize  by  electing  a  chairman  and 
some  competent  person  as  secretary. 

5.  The  secretary  shall  receive  and  hold  all  papers  and 
records  pertaining  to  said  appeal,  subject  to  the  order  of 
the  chairman ;  keep  a  true  record  of  all  proceedings  of  said 
court,  and  certify  the  decision  thereof  to  the  annual  con- 
ference from  which  the  appeal  is  taken,  and  also  to  the  ap- 
pellant. 

6.  Five  of  these  members  shall  be  necessary  to  consti- 
tute a  quorum,  and  four  must  agree  on  a  verdict.  The 
court  may  affirm  or  reverse  the  finding  and  decision  of  the 
annual  conference,  or  affirm  in  part  and  reverse  in  part ; 
but  it  shall  not  reverse  the  same,  nor  remand  the  case  for 
a  new  trial  on  account  of  errors  plainly  not  affecting  the 
result. 

7.  The  decision  of  this  court  shall  in  all  cases  be  final, 
except  when  the  objections  are  taken  on  the  ground  that 
the  proceedings  were  irregular  in  the  application  of  law, 
and  said  objections  are  entered  before  the  verdict  of  the 
court  is  announced.  In  case  of  appeal  from  the  court  under 
this  clause,  the  appellant  must  give  notice  within  thirty 
days  to  the  secretary  of  the  court,  who  shall  send  a  copy 
of  all  proceedings  in  said  case  to  the  General  Conference. 

8.  In  case  of  an  appeal  from  the  decision  of  an  annual 
conference,  the  appellant  must  give  written  notice  to  the 
secretary  of  said  conference  within  thirty  days  after  the 
adjournment  thereof,  setting  forth  both  his  intention  to 
appeal  and  the  reasons  for  so  doing. 

9.  On  receipt  of  a  notice  of  appeal,  the  secretary  of  the 
conference  shall  immediately  notify  the  presiding  bishop, 
and,  on  notice  from  said  bishop,  transmit  a  copy  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  conference  in  said  case  to  said  court. 

10.  The  necessary  expenses  incurred  in  the  assembling  of 


APPEALS  77 

said  court  shall  be  paid  by  the  appellant,  if  the  appeal  is 
not  sustained ;  if  the  appeal  is  sustained,  the  annual  con- 
ference in  which  the  appeal  is  made  shall  pay  the  expenses, 
and  the  appellant  shall,  in  all  cases,  at  the  time  the  notice 
of  appeal  is  given,  deposit  with  the  secretary  of  said  an- 
nual conference  security  for  the  payment  of  said  expenses, 
in  an  amount  fixed  by  said  secretary. 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Seceding  Members. 

special  enactment. 

Persons  representing  themselves  as  members  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  being  in- 
subordinate to  the  General  Conference,  and  refusing  to 
obey  the  order  and  discipline  of  the  Church,  as  provided 
by  the  General  Conference,  shall  be  dealt  with  as  follows : 

1.  In  case  a  presiding  elder  shall  be  suspended,  or  ex- 
pelled, or  shall  withdraw  from  the  Church  by  joining  an- 
other denomination,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding 
bishop  of  the  district  to  appoint  a  successor  to  said  presid- 
ing elder,  and  require  him  to  take  charge  of  the  district 
forthwith. 

2.  If  the  offender  be  a  pastor,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of 
the  presiding  elder  of  the  district  to  appoint  a  successor, 
and  require  him  to  occupy  said  charge  forthwith. 

3.  If  the  offender  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence, either  minister  or  layman,  he  shall  be  declared  by 
the  presiding  elder  as  having  irregularly  withdrawn  from 
the  Church,  and  his  name  shall  be  erased  from  the  roll  of 
the  quarterly  conference. 

4.  If  the  offender  be  a  private  member  who  has  thus 
irregularly  withdrawn  from  the  Church,  it  shall  be  the  duty 
of  the  pastor  to  report  the  fact  to  the  congregation  and 
correct  the  roll  of  church  membership. 

5.  The  foregoing  regulations  shall  be  considered  as  ap- 
plying to  all  cases  of  insubordination  to  the  rules  and  re- 
quirements of  the  Discipline  of  the  Church  ;  provided,  that 
if  any  person  or  persons  thus  affiliating,  or  thus  insubor- 
dinate, shall,  within  a  reasonable  time,  manifest  a  desire 
to  return  to  their  former  allegiance  to  the  Church,  they  may, 
with  the  consent  of  the  local  church,  be  reinstated. 

78 


PART  III. 

Moral  Reform. 

chapter  xii. 

Special  Rules. 
Section  I. 

TEMPERANCE. 

Intoxicating  Drinks. 

1.  The  distilling,  vending,  and  using  of  intoxicating 
drinks  as  a  beverage,  the  renting  and  leasing  of  property 
to  be  used  f«r  the  manufacture  or  sale  of  such  drinks,  also 
the  signing  of  petitions  for  granting  license,  or  the  enter- 
ing as  bondsmen  for  persons  engaged  in  the  traffic  in  in- 
toxicating drinks,  are  strictly  prohibited ;  and  should  any 
of  our  members  be  found  guilty  in  these  respects,  they  shall 
be  dealt  with  as  in  the  case  of  other  immoralities ;  this 
rule,  however,  shall  not  be  so  construed  as  to  prevent  drug- 
gists and  others  from  the  vending  or  using  of  alcohol  for 
medicinal  or  mechanical  purposes. 

Temperance  Day. 

2.  The  fourth  Sabbath  in  October  of  each  year  shall  be 
observed   as   Temperance   Day. 

Tobacco. 

3.  We  believe  that  the  use  of  tobacco  in  any  form  is 
injurious  to  health,  and  a  needless  waste  of  money  which 
could  and  should  be  otherwise  applied  ;  and  we  kindly  ad- 
vise all  our  members  to  abstain  from  its  use. 

Section   II. 

SABBATH   OBSERVANCE. 

The  Sabbath  day  being  ordained  of  God  as  a  day  of 
physical  rest  and  of  spiritual  improvement,  and  as  the 
perpetuity   of   our  civil   and   religious   institutions   demands 

79 


80  DISCIPLINE 

its  proper  observance,  therefore,  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  in  view  of  the  growing  tendency,  as  seen 
in  the  open  saloon,  the  beer-garden,  the  base-ball  games,  the 
social  dance,  excursion  trains,  the  increasingly  prevalent 
apathy  of  the  masses  to  an  attendance  upon  the  public 
service  of  the  church,  and  a  disregard  of  God's  command  to 
"remember  the  Sabbath  day  to  keep  it  holy,"  earnestly 
counsels  all  its  members  to  abstain  from  everything  that 
does  not  contribute  in  the  highest  degree  to  their  spiritual 
growth ;  and  we  advise  our  ministers  and  general  oiBcers 
of  the  Church  to  be  examples  to  the  flock  over  which  the 
Holy  Ghost  hath  made  them  overseers. 

Section   III. 

SLAVERY. 

All  slavery,  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  is  totally  pro- 
hibited, and  shall  in  no  way  be  tolerated  in  our  Church.^ 

Section   IV. 

SECRET   COMBINATIONS. 

1.  A  secret  combination  is  a  secret  league  or  confeder- 
ation of  persons  holding  principles  and  laws  at  variance 
with  the  Word  of  God  and  injurious  to  Christian  character, 
as  evidenced  in  individual  life,  and  infringing  upon  the 
natural,  social,  political,  or  religious  rights  of  those  outside 
its  pale. 

2.  Any  member  or  minister  of  our  Church  found  in  con- 
nection with  such  combination  shall  be  dealt  with  as  in 
other  cases  of  disobedience  to  the  order  and  discipline  of 
the  Church ;  in  case  of  members,  as  found  in  Chapter  IV., 
Section  III.,  page  25,  and  in  case  of  ministers,  as  found  in 
Chapter  VI.,  Section  IX.,  page  56. 

Section   V. 

OATHS. 

We  believe  that  the  mode  of  testifying  to  the  truth  when 
required  so  to  do  in  a  legal  form,  by  way  of  affirmation,  is 
on  us  solemnly,  conscientiously,  and  fully  binding,  before 
God,  to  tell  the  truth,  the  whole  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth. 

» This  law,  in  its  essential  character,  was  adopted  by  the  General 
Conference  in  1821,  Bishops  Newcomer  and  Zeller  presiding. 


MORAL  REFORM  81 

Section  VI. 

W^AR. 

We  most  positively  record  our  disapproval  of  engaging 
in  voluntary  national  aggressive  warfare ;  yet  we  recog- 
nize the  rightful  authority  of  the  civil  government,  and 
hold  it  responsible  for  the  preservation  and  defense  of  our 
national  compact,  against  treason  or  invasion  by  any  bellig- 
erent force,  and  we  believe  it  to  be  entirely  consistent  with 
the  spirit  of  Christianity  to  bear  arms  when  called  upon  to 
do  so  by  the  properly  constituted  authorities  of  our  gov- 
ernment for  its  preservation  and  defense. 

Section  VII. 

THE    MARRIAGE    RELATION. 

1.  We  believe  that  the  marriage  relation  is  of  divine 
authority ;  that  it  is  the  mutual  union  of  one  man  and 
one  woman ;  that  the  obligation  is  most  sacred,  and  morally 
binding  as  long  as  both  shall  live,  and  therefore  cannot  be 
dissolved  at  will,  nor  should  it  be  by  a  decree  of  a  civil 
tribunal,  except  on  evidence  that  one  party  is  guilty  of 
adultery. 

2.  On  positive  evidence  of  such  guilt  the  innocent  party 
is  freed  from  further  matrimonial  obligations  and  justly 
entitled  to  a  divorce. 

3.  We  deny  the  right  of  marriage  by  virtue  of  a  divorce 
obtained  for  other  causes  than  adultery  on  the  part  of  the 
person  from  whom  the  divorce  is  obtained,  and  therefore 
the  right  of  the  guilty  party  to  remarry. 

4.  Any  person  sustaining  a  married  relation  contrary 
to  that  above  recognized  as  justifiable  shall  be  ineligible  to 
the  office  of  the  ministry  in  this  Church. 

5.  No  minister  of  this  Church  shall  knowingly  solemnize 
the  marriage  of  two  persons,  either  of  whom  has  been  di- 
vorced for  other  than  the  above  justifiable  cause,  and  shall 
be  amenable  to  the  Church  for  disobedience  to  the  order 
thereof. 


PART  IV. 

Property, 
chapter  xiii. 

Church-Houses  and   Parsonages. 
Appointing  Trustees. 

1.  Whenever  it  is  contemplated  to  purchase  or  build  a 
church-house  or  parsonage,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  any 
member  to  make  it  known  to  the  quarterly  conference  of 
the  circuit  or  station  to  which  he  belongs.  The  quarterly 
conference  shall  then  appoint  a  judicious  board  of  trus- 
tees of  not  less  than  three  persons,  or  as  the  law  of  the 
State  may  require ;  provided,  however,  that  at  least  a  ma- 
jority of  said  board  shall  be  members  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  The  trustees  shall  hold 
their  office  during  the  pleasure  of  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence ;  and  if  any  member  of  the  board  shall  absent  him- 
self from  the  meetings  of  the  board  for  one  year,  without 
good  and  sufficient  cause,  his  seat  may  be  declared  vacant, 
and  another  elected  to  fill  the  vacancy. 

Vacancies. 

2.  When  vacancies  occur  in  a  board  of  trustees  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  quarterly  conference  to  appoint  suit- 
able persons  to  fill  such  vacancies,  and  to  see  that  the  rec- 
ords of  the  county  wherein  such  board  may  reside  shall 
correspond  with  the  facts  in  the  case,  according  as  the  law 
of  the  State  may  require,  after  such  vacancies  have  been 
filled. 

Duties   of  Trustees. 

3.  The  trustees  shall  meet  annually,  or  oftener  if  need 
be,  and  shall  elect  from  their  number  the  following  offi- 
cers ;  namely,  a  president,  secretary,  and  treasurer.  Meet- 
ings may  be  called  by  the  president  or  by  two  other  mem- 
bers of  the  board. 

4.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  correct  record  of  all  busi- 
ness transactions  of  the  board  in  a  book  provided  for  that 

82 


CHURCH-HOUSES    AND    PARSONAGES  83 

purpose,  which  shall  at  all  times  be  open  for  the  inspection 
of  the  official  board  and  the  quarterly  conference,  as  well 
as  of  the  board  of  trustees. 

5.  The  treasurer  shall  receive  all  funds  of  the  board  for 
church-house,  cemeterj^,  or  parsonage  purposes,  and  pay 
out  the  same  under  the  direction  of  the  board,  on  regularly 
drawn  orders  signed  by  the  president  and  secretary,  and 
report  the  financial  condition  at  their  several  meetings,  and 
to  the  quarterly  conference  at  least  once  each  year. 

6.  No  board  of  trustees  shall  begin  the  building  of  a 
church-house  or  parsonage  without  first  submitting  their 
plans  and  estimates  of  lot,  or  lots,  and  building,  to  the 
official  board  or  quarterly  conference  for  consideration, 
approval,  and  directions.  Nor  shall  they  proceed  to  buy 
or  build  without  first  procuring  an  incorporation  of  their 
board,  such  as  the  State  requires,  nor  without  securing 
and  recording  a  warranty  deed,  prepared  by  the  Church- 
Erection  Society,  to  themselves  and  their  successors  in 
office  for  the  real  estate  which  they  purchase,  nor  until 
they  have  the  necessary  means  either  in  hand  or  suffi- 
ciently assured,  thus  securing  harmony  of  action  and  avoid- 
ing the  encumbering  of  our  houses  of  worship  and  par- 
sonages with  embarrassing  debts. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  trustees  to  take 
charge  of  all  the  church  property,  employ  janitors,  fur- 
nish light  and  fuel,  keep  the  property  insured,  and  look 
carefully  after  other  wants  from  time  to  time. 

8.  For  the  raising  of  funds  for  extraordinary  expenses, 
such  as  building  churches,  or  making  extensive  repairs, 
or  paying  large  debts,  the  trustees  may  devise  such  meas- 
ures as  may  be  deemed  best,  and  report  the  same  to  the 
official  board  or  quarterly  conference  for  approval  and 
cooperation. 

Sale  and  Rent  of  Church-Houses  and  Parsonages. 

9.  The  quarterly  conference  may  authori25e  a  board  of 
trustees  to  lease,  rent,  or  sell  church  or  parsonage  prop- 
erty within  its  jurisdiction ;  provided,  however,  that  said 
proceeds  shall  be  used  in  purchasing,  repairing,  or  build- 
ing new  church  or  parsonage  property  within  its  bounds, 
except  the  interest  or  rents  accruing  from  parsonage  prop- 
erty, which  may  be  applied  to  pay  rent  on  the  house  occu- 
pied by  the  pastor.     Provided  further,  that  no  church-house 


84  DISCIPLINE 

shall  be  sold  that  would  result  in  the  discontinuation  or 
disorganization  of  a  class,  without  the  consent  of  the  an- 
nual conference  within  the  bounds  of  which  said  property 
is  located. 

Conditions   of  Mortgages   and  Liens. 

10.  No  board  of  trustees,  annual  or  quarterly  confer- 
ence, or  members  of  any  local  church,  shall  have  power  to 
mortgage  or  to  place  a  lien  of  any  kind  on  real  estate  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  except  for  the  purchase  of 
such  real  estate,  or  the  erection  of  necessary  buildings,  or 
for  repairing,  or  otherwise  improving  the  same. 

Abandoned  Church-Houses. 

11.  When  a  house  of  worship  outside  of  the  jurisdiction 
of  any  quarterly  conference  ceases  to  be  used  by  our  own 
people  for  preaching  or  other  religious  purposes,  it  shall 
be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  elder  of  the  district  in  which 
such  house  is  located  to  report  to  the  annual  conference, 
which  body  shall  have  power  to  appoint  a  board  of  trus- 
tees, who  shall  rent,  lease,  or  sell  such  house  of  worship, 
as  they  deem  advisable,  and  report  their  proceedings  to 
the  annual  conference,  which  body  shall  have  power  to 
use  the  proceeds  to  pay  debts  on  other  houses  of  worship, 
build  new  houses,  or  turn  the  money  into  the  funds  of 
the  Church-Erection  Society,  as  may  seem  proper,  at  its 
own  discretion ;  provided,  that  in  no  case  shall  a  church- 
house  and  its  premises  be  sold  without  the  consent  of  the 
annual  conference  within  whose  bounds  it  is  located. 

Abandoned  Parsonages. 

12.  Should  any  parsonage  be  permanently  abandoned 
as  such,  the  presiding  elder  of  the  district  in  which  such 
parsonage  is  located  shall  report  the  same  to  the  annual 
conference,  which  body  shall  have  power  to  appoint  a 
board  of  trustees,  who  shall  rent  or  sell  such  parsonage, 
and  pay  over  the  proceeds  to  the  annual  conference,  which 
body  shall  expend  the  same  in  paying  debts  on  other  par- 
sonages, or  in  building  new  ones  within  its  borders. 

Transfer  of   Churches. 

13.  When  a  lot  is  deeded  to  an  English  United  Breth- 
ren church,  or  to  a  German  United  Brethren  church,  and 
one  or  the  other  ceases  to  exist  in  an  organized  form,  by 
deaths,    removals,    expulsions,    or    otherwise,     or     when     a 


CHUKCH-HOUSBS   AND    PARSONAGES  85 

majority  of  the  members  of  said  church  shall  decide  to 
change  either  from  the  Gei-man  to  the  English,  or  vice 
versa,  then  the  church  remaining  shall  have  full  right  to 
make  such  improvements  or  repairs  on  said  lot  as  may 
be  desirable  for  the  purposes  of  worship,  and  shall  be  en- 
titled to  peaceable  possession. 

Division  of  Interest. 

14.  In  cases  where  fields  of  labor  having  parsonages 
upon  them  are  divided,  the  disposition  of  said  parsonages 
shall  be  submitted  to  a  board  of  arbiters,  consisting  of 
three  members  of  the  Church,  one  to  be  chosen  by  each 
quarterly  conference,  and  the  third  by  these  two,  to 
whom  the  whole  matter  shall  be  referred,  their  decision 
of  the  case  being  final.  In  cases  where  more  than  two 
quarterly  conferences  are  interested,  the  same  plan  shall  be 
pursued.  In  case  this  plan  fail,  the  quarterly  conferences 
shall  instruct  the  presiding  elder  to  appoint  a  committee  of 
three  persons,  all  members  of  our  Church,  but  none  of 
them  residents  or  members  of  either  of  the  fields  affected, 
and  their  decision  shall  be  final. 

Real  Estate. 

15.  Real  estate  held  for  church  or  parsonage  purposes 
shall  be  subject  to  the  same  regulations  as  houses  of  wor- 
ship and  parsonages. 

Conference  or  District  Property. 

16.  Where  there  is  no  provision  by  the  laws  of  the 
State  for  the  incorporation  of  religious  organizations,  and 
there  is  property  that  belongs  to  a  district  or  confer- 
ence, such  as  parsonages  for  the  use  of  bishops  or  presid- 
ing elders,  a  conference  or  conferences  may  elect  a  board 
of  trustees,  who  shall  be  members  of  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  reside  within  the  district 
or  conference,  who  shall  have  the  right  to  receive  deeds  to 
property  and  power  to  lease,  rent,  or  sell  the  same. 

17.  Any  quarterly  conference  that  has  appointed  trus- 
tees for  a  bishop's  parsonage  shall  fill  all  vacancies  under 
the  direction  of  the  cooperating  conferences. 

Church  Plans. 

18.  The  Church-Erection  Society  shall  provide  plans 
and  specifications  for  church  houses,  which  shall  be  sup- 
plied to  trustees  who  apply,  at  cost. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

Board  of   Ghuech   Trustees. 

Section  1.  Be  it  ordained  by  the  General  Conference 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  That  there 
shall  be  located  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  an  incorporated  Board 
of  Trustees  for  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,  consisting  of  twelve  members,  a  majority  of  whom 
shall  be  citizens  of  Ohio,  elected  by  the  General  Conference 
of  said  Church  for  a  term  of  four  years,  or  until  their  suc- 
cessors are  so  elected.  Said  board  shall  be  known  as  "The 
Trustees  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ." 

Sec.  2.  The  organization  of  this  board  shall  be  effected 
by  the  election  of  a  president,  secretary,  and  treasurer.  It 
shall  meet  on  the  call  of  the  president  annually,  or  when- 
ever the  president  and  secretary  may  determine.  The 
board  may  elect  an  executive  committee  with  authority  to 
transact  any  necessary  business  in  the  interim  of  the 
board's  sessions,  subject  to  the  approval  of  the  board. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  to  receive, 
hold  in  trust,  or  apply,  for  the  benefit  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  any  and  all  funds,  dona- 
tions, grants,  and  bequests  that  may  be  given,  directed, 
or  conveyed  to  such  board  or  Church  as  such,  for  any  be- 
nevolent purpose  whatever.  All  such  funds  and  the  pro- 
ceeds thereof  shall  be  applied  in  harmony  with  the  specified 
purpose  of  the  donors,  or,  in  the  absence  of  such  specifica- 
tions, as  the  board  may  determine. 

Sec.  4.  The  board  shall  report  quadrennially  to  the 
General  Conference  of  said  Church  all  funds  and  property 
received  for  the  Church  and  the  disposition  made  of 
the  same,  and  shall  be  answerable  to,  and  under  the  direc- 
tion of,  said  General  Conference. 

Sec.  5.  The  board,  at  its  first  regular  meeting  of  each 
quadrennium,  shall  organize  by  electing  a  president,  secre- 
tary, and  treasury. 


PART  V. 

Institutions  for  Christian  Instruction  and 
Training. 

chapter  xv. 

Sabbath  Schools. 

Foil  the  benefit  of  the  rising  generation  and  the  up- 
building of  the  church  of  Christ,  Sabbath  schools  shall  be 
organized  wherever  practicable.  They  shall  be  organized 
and  conducted  in  harmony  with  the  provisions  following  in 
this  chapter. 

The  general  interests  of  the  Sabbath-school  work  of  the 
Church  shall  be  committed  to  a  Sabbath-school  board, 
consisting  of  five  members,  who  shall  be  elected  by  the 
General  Conference  for  a  term  of  four  years,  with  the 
editor  of  the  English  Sabbath-school  literature  and  general 
secretary  as  members  ex  officio.  Three  of  the  five  members 
to  be  elected  shall  be  residents  of  the  State  of  Ohio.  This 
board  shall  be  governed  by  the  following  constitution : 

Section  I. 

CONSTITUTION    OF    GENERAL    SABBATH-SCHOOL    BOARD. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  "The  General  Sab- 
bath-School Board  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ." 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  this  board  shall  be  to  promote  the  multi- 
plication, growth,  and  eflSciency  of  Sabbath  schools  in  con- 
nection with  our  Church  and  elsewhere,  for  the  glory  of 
God  and  the  saving  and  blessing  of  mankind. 

87 


88  DISCIPLINE 

Article  III. 

ORGANIZATION. 

The  board  shall  be  convened  by  the  call  of  the  retiring 
secretary,  within  one  month  after  its  election,  and  shall 
organize  by  electing  from  its  own  number  a  president,  a 
recording  secretary,  and  a  treasurer. 

Article  IV. 

MEETINGS. 

The  board  shall  meet  annually  in  the  month  of  April 
or  May,  on  such  day  or  days  as  it  may  determine.  Other 
meetings  may  be  held  on  the  call  of  the  president  and 
secretary.  The  members  present  at  any  meeting  shall  con- 
stitute a  quorum. 

Article  V. 

DUTIES  AND  POWERS. 

1.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  this  board  to  take  general 
charge  and  oversight  of  the  Sabbath-school  interests  of 
the  Church,  and  in  carrying  forward  its  work  it  may  take 
such  action  as  in  its  judgment  the  interests  committed  to 
it  may  demand,  provided  that  nothing  shall  be  done  out  of 
harmony  with  the  Discipline  of  the  Church, 

2.  The  board  shall  apportion  to  the  annual  conferences 
an  amount  equal  to  three  cents  per  member,  for  the  whole 
Church,  which  amount  shall  be  apportioned  by  the  board  to 
the  several  annual  conferences  according  to  their  ability. 

3.  The  board  shall  make  provision  for  the  general  ob- 
servance of  Children's  Day  on  the  first  Sunday  in  June, 
and  shall  receive  the  free-will  offerings  made  on  that  day. 

4.  The  board  shall  have  full  authority  to  fill  vacancies 
in  its  membership  between  the  sittings  of  the  General  Con- 
ference, and  shall  make  a  quadrennial  report  to  the  Gen- 
eral Conference. 

5.  A  committee  shall  be  appointed  annually  which  shall 
audit  the  treasurer's  accounts. 

6.  The  board  may  appoint  each  year  a  local  committee 
of  three  members,  at  least  two  of  whom  shall  be  members 
of  the  board,  to  act  in  the  intervals  between  its  meetings ; 
but  this  committee  shall  not  transact  new  business. 

7.  The  board  shall  define  fully  the  work  and  duties  of 
the  general  secretary  and  provide  for  his  salary. 


SABBATH   SCHOOLS  8i) 

Article  VI. 

USE    OF  FUNDS. 

The  funds  of  this  board  shall  be  used  to  assist  in  estab- 
lishing and  maintaining  Sabbath  schools  in  home  and  for- 
eign fields,  except  that  a  sufficient  sum  shall  be  reserved 
to  paj'   the  salary  of  the  general  secretary. 

Article  VII. 

APPROPRIATION  S . 

1.  The  assistance  of  this  board  in  furnishing  supplies 
shall  be  rendered  onlj^  to  Sabbath  schools  organize*]  and 
conducted  in  harmony  with  the  disciplinary  provisions  of 
the  United  Brethren  Church,  or  to  those  giving  satisfactory 
evidence  that  they  will  soon  become  such. 

2.  All  applications  for  assistance  shall  be  made  through 
the  secretary,  and  shall  be  considered  by  a  committee  of 
two  members  appointed  by  the  board ;  and  no  appropria- 
tion shall  be  made  without  the  approval  of  said  commit- 
tee being  first  obtained.  Payment  for  such  supplies  shall 
be  made  only  upon  order  of  the  president  and  secretary  as 
herein  specified. 

Article  VIII. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

1.  The  president  shall  have  the  operations  of  the  board 
under  his  care ;  he  shall  preside  at  its  meetings,  make 
such  recommendations  as  he  may  consider  proper,  and 
call  especial  meetings  of  the  board  when  in  his  judgment, 
and  that  of  the  secretary,  it  is  necessary.  He  shall  sign 
all  orders  issued  on  the  treasurer  for  funds  appropriated 
by  the  board. 

2.  The  secretary  shall  issue  the  calls  for  the  meetings 
of  the  board,  keep  a  correct  record  of  its  business  trans- 
actions in  a  book  provided  for  the  purpose,  and  certify  all 
orders  issued  on  the  treasurer. 

3.  The  treasurer  shall  have  in  charge,  and  hold  in 
trust,  the  funds  of  the  board.  He  shall  pay  such  orders 
as  are  properly  certified  by  the  president  and  secretary. 
He  shall  report  annually,  or  oftener  if  desired.  His  an- 
nual report  shall  be  audited  by  a  committee  of  the  board. 


90  DISCIPLINE 

Section  II. 

ANNUAL-CONFEEENCE    RELATIONS    AND    DUTIES. 

Secretary  and  Treasurer. 

1.  Each  conference  shall  annually  elect  one  person 
who  shall  be  Sabbath-school  secretary  and  treasurer,  who 
shall  be  an  advisory  member  of  the-  General  Sabbath- 
School  Board,  and  whose  duty  it  shall  be,  to  give  diligent 
attention  to  all  the  interests  of  this  board  before  the  con- 
ference ;  to  receive  and  transmit  the  funds  for  this  board 
to  the  treasurer  thereof ;  to  be  faithful  in  correspondence 
with  the  secretary  of  this  board ;  to  hold  at  a  convenient 
time  during  the  conference  session  a  Sabbath-school  anni- 
versary for  the  purpose  of  advancing  the  Sabbath-school 
cause. 

Pastor^s  Duties. 

2.  The  pastor  shall  have  general  supervision  of  all  the 
Sabbath  schools  on  his  charge.  It  shall  be  his  duty  to  be 
present  at  all  sessions  of  the  Sabbath  school  as  far  as  prac- 
ticable ;  to  preside  at  all  business  meetings  when  present, 
and  at  all  meetings  for  the  organization  of  Sabbath  schools. 
He  shall  organize  a  Sabbath  school  at  each  appointment  on 
his  charge,  where  there  is  not  one  already  ;  he  shall  preach 
on  the  subject  at  each  appointment  at  least  once  a  year ;  he 
shall  report  to  his  conference  the  number  of  schools,  the 
number  of  officers  and  teachers  employed,  the  number  of 
scholars  enrolled,  the  number  of  conversions  among  the 
scholars,  the  number  of  schools  continuing  through  the 
year,  and  the  amount  of  money  collected  for  the  use  of 
schools,  for  the  general  fund,  for  missions,  and  for  any 
other   purpose. 

Section  III. 

ORGANIZATION    OF    SABBATH    SCHOOLS. 

1.  The  pastor  shall  pursue  the  following  plan  in  or- 
ganizing a  new  school  at  any  one  of  his  appointments,  or 
in  reorganizing  a  school  which  has  not  adopted  the  con- 
stitution hereinafter  provided.  The  pastor  shall  announce 
a  meeting  for  the  purpose,  and  he  shall  act  as  chairman. 
The  pastor,  the  class-leaders,  and  the  stewards  shall  con- 
stitute a  committee  to  present  the  names  of  two  suitable 
persons    for    superintendent    and    two    suitable    persons    for 


SABBATH  SCHOOLS  91 

assistant  superintendent.  The  election  shall  be  by  ballot, 
and  enrolled  members  of  the  school  over  twelve  years  of 
age  shall  have  the  privilege  of  voting.  The  nominees  re- 
ceiving the  highest  number  of  votes  shall  be  declared 
elected.  The  officers  necessary  shall  be  elected  as  the  pas- 
tor, superintendent,  and  school  may  determine.  It  is  pro- 
vided, however,  that  on  stations  where  it  shall  be  thought 
best  by  the  pastor,  the  quarterly  conference  may  elect  the 
superintendent. 

Term  of  Office. 

2.  The  superintendent  and  other  general  officers  of  the 
school  shall  hold  their  respective  offices  one  year,  or  until 
their  successors  shall  have  been  appointed  in  the  manner 
prescribed  in  the  constitution. 

Superintendent's  Duties. 

3.  The  superintendent  shall  render  to  each  quarterly 
conference  an  account  of  the  condition  of  the  school, 
stating  also  whether  he  is  prompt  in  opening  and  orderly 
in  his  management  of  the  same,  and  at  the  close  of  his 
term  he  shall  see  that  a  successor  is  selected  after  the 
manner  prescribed. 

Dismissal  of  Superintendent. 

4.  The  quarterly  conference  shall  have  power  to  re- 
move from  office  a  superintendent  for  immoral  conduct, 
heresy,  or  insubordination. 


Section   IV. 

SABBATH    SCHOOLS    AND    THE    MISSIONARY    WORK. 

Each  of  our  Sabbath  schools  is  hereby  constituted 
an  auxiliary  to  the  branch  missionary  society  within 
whose  limits  it  is  located ;  and  the  superintendent  is  ex- 
pected to  take  a  collection  at  least  once  each  quarter  for 
the  cause  of  missions,  and  report  the  amount  to  the  pastor. 
Any  member  of  the  Sabbath  school  may  become  a  life 
member  of  the  auxiliary  by  the  payment  of  three  dollars, 
and  shall  be  entitled  to  a  certificate  of  life  membership. 


92  DISCIPLINE 

Section  V. 

CONSTITUTION  FOB  A   SABBATH   SCHOOL. 

All  Sabbath  schools  of  the  Church  shall  be  governed  by 
the  following  constitution ;  provided,  that  any  school  may 
have  the  privilege  of  enacting  such  by-laws  for  its  better 
regulation  as  will  not  conflict  with  the  constitution. 

Article  I. 

This  school  shall  be  known  as  the  United  Brethren  Sab- 
bath School  of  . 

Article  II. 

The  object  of  the  school  shall  be  to  gather  in  all,  both 
old  and  young,  as  far  as  possible,  for  instruction  in,  and 
the  study  of  the  Bible,  and  to  promote  the  worship  of 
God,  and  to  secure  the  salvation  of  prefious  souls. 

Article  III. 

Section  1.  The  officers  shall  be  the  pastor,  a  superin- 
tendent, a  secretary,  a  treasurer,  a  librarian,  and,  when 
desired  by  the  school,  a  chorister  and  organist.  The 
duties  of  these  officers  shall  be  such  as  usually  pertain  to 
such  offices ;  and  whenever  it  is  generally  deemed  neces- 
sary for  the  interests  of  the  school,  an  assistant  may  be 
elected  in  each  of  these  offices ;  all  of  whom  shall  be  sub- 
ject in  their  official  duties  to  their  superior  officers,  except 
in   the  absence  of  such  superiors. 

Sec.  2.  There  shall  also  be  an  executive  committee  of 
three  or  five,  chosen  by  the  school.  The  pastor  and  super- 
intendent   shall    be    members    ex    officio;    and    a    majority 

shall  be  members  of  the   United  Brethren  church  at  , 

whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  select  and  order  a  suitable 
amount  of  our  own  literature  and  helps  for  the  school  from 
time  to  time,  and  look  after  the  general  interests  of  the 
school.  The  committee  shall  have  power  to  declare  the 
office  of  secretary,  treasurer,  librarian,  chorister,  or  organ- 
ist vacant  for  inefficiency  or  willful  absence. 

Sec.  3.  The  superintendent,  when  at  all  possible,  shall 
be  a  member  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  in  good  and 
regular  standing. 

Sec.  4.  When  a  superintendent  is  to  be  chosen,  if  not 
elected    by    the    quarterly    conference,    as    provided    for    in 


SABBATH   SCHOOLS  93 

Section  III.,  paragraph  1,  page  90,  the  quarterly  confer- 
ence or  oflficial  board  shall  nominate  by  ballot  at  least 
two  suitable  persons  for  superintendent,  and  the  one  re- 
ceiving the  highest  number  of  votes  shall  be  declared 
elected ;  provided,  that  the  election  shall  be  by  ballot,  and 
only  enrolled  members  of  the  school  above  twelve  years  of 
age  shall  be  allowed  to  vote.  The  secretary,  treasurer,  li- 
brarian, chorister,  organist,  and  any  other  necessary  offi- 
cers shall  be  elected  by  the  school,  also  by  ballot.  The 
teachers  shall  be  appointed  by  the  superintendent,  with 
the  approval  of  the  pastor. 

Sec.  5.  The  pastor  of  the  church  shall  preside  at  each 
annual  election,  whenever  practicable,  and  the  superin- 
tendent or  pastor  shall  preside  at  all  special  elections. 

Article  IV, 

Vacancies  for  unexpired  terms  shall  be  filled  in  the  man- 
ner and  form  as  above  provided  for  annual  reorganization. 

Article  V. 

The  place  of  meeting  for  the  Sabbath  school  shall  be 
the  usual  place  of  meeting  for  the  United  Brethren  church 
services,  and  at  such  hours  of  the  day  as  shall  not  inter- 
fere with  the  other  church  services. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

Young  People's  Christian  Union. 

Section  I. 

organization. 

1.  The  Young  People's  Christian  Union  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ  shall  consist  of  the  Young  People's  so- 
cieties organized  as  provided  in  its  constitution.  It  shall  be 
under  the  direction  of  an  executive  council. 

2.  The  executive  council  shall  consist  of  seven  mem- 
bers, including  the  president  and  corresponding  secretary 
of  the  Young  People's  Christian  Union.  Of  the  five  mem- 
bers to  be  elected,  three  shall  be  chosen  by  the  General 
Conference  and  two  by  the  Young  People's  Christian  Union. 
The  executive  council  shall  make  a  quadrennial  report  to 
the   General    Conference. 

3.  The  president  of  the  local  Young  People's  society, 
and  the  superintendents  of  the  Intermediate  and  Junior 
societies,  shall  be  members  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  and  shall  be  members  of  the  quarterly 
conference  of  the  charge  to  which  the  societies  belong,  and 
shall  make  a  written  report  to  each  session  of  the  quarterly 
conference. 

4.  The  organ  of  the  Young  People's  Christian  Union 
shall  be  the  Watchword,  published  under  the  direction  of 
the  trustees  and  Agent  of  the  Publishing  House,  the 
editor  of  which  shall  be  chosen  by  the  General  Confer- 
ence. This  paper  shall  be  devoted  to  the  work  of  the 
Young  People's  Christian  Union.  In  directing  the  plan 
and  policy  of  this  paper  the  executive  council  shall  advise 
and  assist.  The  editor  may  serve  as  corresponding  secre- 
tary of  the  Young  People's  Christian  Union,  subject  to  the 
action  of  the  union. 

94 


YOUNG   people's   CHRISTIAN    UNION  95 

Section  II. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  called  "The  Young  People's 
Christian  Union  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ." 

Article  II, 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  this  union  shall  be  to  unite  the  young 
people's  Christian  societies  of  the  entire  Church,  of  what- 
ever name,  for  mutual  helpfulness,  for  stimulating  Church 
loyalty  and  an  intelligent  interest  in  the  various  Church 
enterprises,  and  for  the  organization  and  extension  of 
young  people's  Christian  societies  within  the  Church. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Any  young  people's  Christian  society  of  whatever  name, 
connected  with  any  congregation  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ,  may  become  a  member  of  this  union  upon  the 
following  conditions : 

1.  That  it  be  enrolled  at  the  office  of  this  union,  either 
directly  or  through  the  conference  branch. 

2.  That  it  adopt  the  following  articles  as  part  of  its 
constitution : 

(a)  The  article  on  "Object"  shall  include:  "It  shall 
be  the  object  of  this  society  to  promote  an  earnest  Chris- 
tian life  among  its  members,  to  increase  their  mutual 
acquaintance,  to  make  them  more  useful  in  the  service  of 
God,  to  promote  loyalty  to  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  to  study  its  life  and  interests,  and  to 
seek  in  every  proper  way  to  assist  the  growth  of  both  the 
local  church  and  the  denomination  at  large,  as  our  par- 
ticular part  of  God's  Zion." 

(5)  As  a  separate  clause  or  article:  "This  society  shall 
at  no  time  adopt  any  rule  or  practice  contrary  to  the  Dis- 
cipline and  usages  of  the  United  Brethren  Church." 

(c)  As  a  separate  clause:  "This  society  shall  be 
auxiliary    to    the   Conference    Branch    of    the    Young 


96 


DISCIPLINE 


People's    Christian    Union    of     the     United     Brethren     in 
Christ." 

Article  IV. 

OFFICEBS. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  the  union  shall  consist  of  a 
president,  vice-president  for  each  bishop's  district,  record- 
ing secretary,  corresponding  secretary,  treasurer,  and  an 
executive  council. 

Sec.  2.  The  executive  council  shall  consist  of  the  presi- 
dent, corresponding  secretary,  and  five  other  members. 

Sec.  3.  These  officers,  except  three  members  of  the 
executive  council  to  be  chosen  by  the  General  Conference, 
shall  be  elected  at  the  regular  meeting  of  the  union,  and 
shall  serve  until  their  successors  are  duly  elected.  This 
election  shall  be  by  ballot,  upon  the  recommendation  of  a 
nominating  committee,  which  shall  report  twice  the  num- 
ber of  names  necessary  for  each  office. 

Sec.  4.  The  executive  council  shall  have  power  to  fill 
vacancies  occurring  during  the  intervals  of  the  meetings 
of  the  union. 

Article  V. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

Section  1.  The  president,  recording  secretary,  and 
treasurer  shall  perform  the  duties  usually  devolving  upon 
such  officers. 

Sec.  2.  In  addition  to  his  ordinary  duties  the  vice- 
president  living  in  each  district  shall  be  the  organizer  for 
that  district,  and  shall  perform  such  other  duties  as  may 
be  directed  by  the  executive  council. 

Sec.  3.  The  corresponding  secretary  shall  keep  a  list 
of  all  the  branches  and  of  all  the  Young  People's  societies 
in  the  Church,  with  the  name  of  the  president  and  cor- 
responding secretary  of  each.  He  shall  conduct  all  corre- 
spondence, give  notice  of  all  meetings  of  the  union  and  of 
the  executive  council,  collect  any  statistics  that  may  be 
desired,  and  perform  such  other  duties  as  may  be  required 
by  the  union  or  by  the  executive  council. 

Sec.  4.  The  treasurer  shall  pay  out  money  only  on  the 
order  of  the  union  or  the  executive  council,  signed  by  the 
president    and    secretary. 

Sec.  5.  The  executive  council  shall  meet  annually  at 
such   time  and  place  as   it  may  determine.      It   shall   have 


YOUNG    people's   CHKISTIAN   UNION  97 

general  control  of  the  union,  call  meetings,  prepare  pro- 
grams, provide  for  the  expenses,  labor  to  promote  the  or- 
ganization of  branches  in  all  the  annual  conferences  and 
of  local  societies  throughout  the  Church,  provide  such 
literature  for  the  societies  as  the  union  may  decide  or  the 
council  deem  proper,  and  attend  to  such  other  matters  as 
may  be  necessary  during  the  intervals  of  the  meetings  of 
the  union.  It  shall  make  reports  of  its  transactions  to  the 
union. 

Article  VI. 

CONFEEENCE    BKANCH    UNIONS. 

Section  1.  The  local  societies  of  any  conference  shall 
constitute  a  branch  of  this  union,  to  be  known  by  the  name 
of  the  conference. 

Sec.  2.  These  branches  shall  be  governed  by  the  branch 
constitution  provided   by   this  union. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  conference  branch 
to  have  a  complete  list  of  the  societies  in  the  conference, 
to  report  them  to  the  corresponding  secretary  of  this 
union,  and  to  collect  from  each  society  an  annual  due  of 
one  dollar,  of  which  seventy-five  cents  shall  be  paid  to  the 
treasurer  of  this  union. 

Article   VII. 
conventions. 

Section  1.  The  union  shall  hold  biennial  conventions, 
at  such  time  and  place  as  the  executive  council  may  de- 
termine, for  the  transaction  of  business  and  the  discussion 
of  topics  relating  to  Christian  work. 

Sec.  2.  These  conventions  shall  be  composed  of  all  mem- 
bers of  local  societies  and  ail  United  Brethren  ministers 
attending  the  conventions  of  this  union,  and  three  duly 
accredited  delegates  from  each  conference  branch. 

Sec.  3.  The  business  of  the  convention  shall  be  of  two 
kinds — deliberative   and   executive. 

Sec.  4.  Executive  business  shall  consist  of  the  follow- 
ing only: 

(a)      Changes  in  the  constitution. 

(6)      Election   of  officers. 

(c)      Authorizing  the  collection  and  payment  of  money. 


98  DISCIPLINE 

Sec.  5.  Upon  executive  business  all  members  may  de- 
bate, but  only  the  delegates  from  the  conference  branches 
may  vote. 

Article   VIII. 

AMENDMENTS, 

This  constitution  may  be  amended'  at  any  regular  con- 
vention of  the  union  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds  of  the  dele- 
gates present,  notice  having  been  given  six  hours  in  ad- 
vance. 

Section   III. 

JUNIOR    SOCIETY. 
CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  Junior  Young 

People's  Society  of  United  Brethren 

Church  of  . 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  promote  in  its  mem- 
bers a  pure  and  worthy  character,  to  aid  in  the  study  of 
the  Bible,  and  to  cultivate  the  principles  of  loyal  service  to 
Christ. 

Article  III. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

Section  1.  The  membership  shall  be  boys  and  girls  from 
seven  to  fifteen  years  of  age,  who  shall  have  been  ap- 
proved by  the  leaders,  and  elected  by  a  majority  vote  of 
the  members  present  at  any  regular  meeting. 


YOUNG   people's   CHRISTIAN    UNION  99 

Sec.  2.  All  those  who  become  members  shall  pledge^ 
themselves  to  attend  regularly  the  meetings  of  the  society 
and  to  observe  good  order  in  them. 

Article   IV. 

OFFICERS. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  Society  shall  be  a  leader 
and  an  assistant  leader  (adults),  a  president,  vice-president, 
secretary,   and   treasurer. 

Sec.  2.  The  leaders  shall  be  nominated  by  the  Young 
People's  Society  of  the  Church,  (or  by  the  Teachers  and 
Officers  of  the  Sunday  School  vs^here  no  Young  People's  So- 
ciety exists,)  and  their  nomination  shall  be  approved  by  the 
pastor  and  the  official  board. 

»This  pledge  should  be  understood  to  be  taken  by  all  members 
received  into  the  society.  Where  a  more  formal  pledge  is  desired, 
the  following  may  be  adopted: 

JUNIOR    society    pledge. 

Trusting  in  Jesus  Christ  to  help  me,  I  promise  that  I 
will  strive  to  do  whatever  he  would  like  to  have  me  do; 
that  I  will  pray  and  read  the  Bihle,  and  keep  the  Sahhath 
day  holy;  and  that  just  so  far  as  I  know  how  I  will  try  to 
lead  a  pood  life;  that  I  will  he  present  at  every  meeting 
when  not  hindered  hy  sickness  or  some  other  just  cause; 
and  that  I  will  take  some  part  in  the  meetings,  especially 
the  monthly  recognition  meetings. 

Note.— There  should  be  great  care  in  having  young  children, 
vp^ho  will  innocently  sign  anything,  take  this  pledge.  The  pledge 
should  be  clearly  explained  and  wisely  emphasized.  To  secure 
the  cooperation  of  the  parents  the  leaders  should  send  to  them  a 
copy  of  the  pledge,  and  also  the  following  for  the  parents  to  sign : 

parent's   answer. 

/  have  carefully  read  the  accompanying  pledge  and  cheer- 
fully give  my  consent  for to  sign  it,  and  will 

do  what  I  can  to  help to  faithfully  keep  it. 

Parenfs  Name    

Address     


100  DISCIPLINE 

Article  V. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

Section  1.  The  leader  shall  have  general  charge  of  the 
society  and  its  work. 

Sec.  2.  The  assistant  leader  shall  aid  the  leader  at  his 
request,  and  care  for  all  the  funds  received  from  the  treas- 
urer. 

Sec.  3.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  business 
meetings,  under  the  advice  of  the  leader. 

Sec.  4.  The  vice-president  shall  conduct  business  meet- 
ings in  the  absence  of  the  president. 

Sec.  5.  The  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the  names 
and  attendance  of  members,  and  of  the  proceedings  of  all 
business  meetings. 

Sec.  6.  The  treasurer  shall  take  the  collections,  enter 
the  amount  in  a  book  provided  for  that  purpose,  and  turn 
over  the  money  to  the  assistant  leader  for  safe  keeping.  A 
record  shall  also  be  kept  of  all  expenditures  as  directed  by 
the  leader  and  society. 

Article  VI. 

COMMITTEES. 

There  shall  be  five  standing  committees  of  five  (or  three, 
as  may  be  desired)  members  each,  as  follows,  the  members 
in  each  (except  the  Executive  Committee)  to  be  proposed 
by  the  leaders  and  approved  by  the  society : 

1.  Membership.  To  bring  in  those  who  may  wish  to  be- 
come members,  to  introduce  th^n  to  the  leaders,  and  to  help 
them  to  feel  at  home  in  the  meetings  of  the  society. 

2.  Devotional.  To  help  the  leader  to  arrange  programs, 
provide  music,  to  distribute  Bibles,  singing-books,  tracts, 
etc.,  and  to  aid  in  every  way  which  the  leaders  may  direct 
to  promote  the  interest  of  the  meetings. 

3.  Helping  Hand.  To  seek  new  scholars  for  the  Sun- 
day school,  and  to  bring  them  in  and  introduce  them  to 
the  superintendent,  to  visit  members  when  sick  or  neglect- 
ful of  the  meetings,  and  to  act  as  special  aids  to  the  lead- 
ers in  securing  a  full  attendance  at  the  monthly  recognition 
service. 

4.  Temperance.     To  canvass  for  signatures  to  the  tem- 


YOUNG    people's   CHRISTIAN    UNION  101 

perance  pledge^  under  the  direction  of  the  leaders,  and  to 
help  in  any  other  way  to  promote  temperance  work  among 
boys  and  girls. 

5.  Executive  Committee.  The  pastor,  leaders,  and  the 
officers  shall  compose  the  executive  committee,  which  shall 
have  full  control  of  the  affairs  of  the  society. 

Article  VII. 

MEETINGS. 

Section  1.  A  devotional  meeting  shall  be  held  every 
week,  the  exercises  of  which  shall  consist  of  prayers,  Scrip- 
ture reading  and  study,  singing,   and  testimony. 

Sec.  2.  Once  a  month  the  meeting  shall  be  known  as  a 
Recognition  Meeting.  At  some  time  during  the  exercises 
the  pledge,  if  there  is  one,  shall  be  recited  in  concert,  and 
the  roll  called.  The  responses  shall  be  considered  a  re- 
newal of  the  pledge  of  the  society.  The  name  of  any  mem- 
ber who  is  absent  without  excuse  from  four  consecutive 
Recognition  Meetings  shall  be  dropped  from  the  roll  of 
members. 

Sec.  3.  All  meetings  shall  be  in  charge  of  the  leaders. 
If  there  are  those  among  the  members  capable  of  leading 
meetings,  they  may  be  chosen  to  do  so. 

Sec.  4.  The  pastor  or  leaders  shall  use  a  part  of  the 
hour  of  the  weekly  meeting,  when  deemed  best,  for  special 
instructions  in  Bible  truth,  or  for  other  profitable  exercises. 

Article   VIII. 

RELATIONSHIP. 

This  society  shall  be  considered  a  department  of  the 
church  with  which  it  is  connected.  It  shall  also  sustain  a 
close  and  intimate  relation  to  the  Youiig  People's  society  of 
the  Church,  with  which  the  members  of  the  Junior  Society 
are  expected  to  connect  themselves  when  they  have  reached 
the  age  limit. 

1  Temperance  Pledge.— 1  hereby  promise,  God  helping  me,  to  ab- 
stain from  the  use  of  tobacco  in  every  form,  from  the  vise  of  wine, 
beer,  and  other  intoxicating  drinks,  and  from  the  use  of  all  pro- 
fane and  unclean  language. 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

Christian  Stewardship  Commission. 

Section  1.  There  shall  be  a  Christian  Stewardship 
Commission  consisting  of  the  secretaries  of  the  Young  Peo- 
ple's Christian  Union,  the  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign 
Missionary  Society,  of  the  Church-Erection  Society,  of  the 
Sabbath-School  Board,  and  of  the  Woman's  M'  .l-.xiary  So- 
ciety. 

Sec.  2.  The  duties  of  this  commission  shall  be  to  study 
the  subject  of  the  stewardship  of  money,  with  a  view  to 
awakening  and  fostering  a  lively  interest  in  the  same  by 
means  of  the  columns  of  our  Church  papers,  tracts,  and  the 
advocacy  of  the  subject  at  public  meetings. 


102 


PART  VI. 

Benevolent  and  Educational  Institutions. 
chapter  xviii. 

Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 

constitution. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the  "Home,  Frontier,  and 
Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in 
Christ,"  and  is  organized  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  the  an- 
nual conferences  in  extending  their  missionary  labors 
throughout  the  country  and  into  foreign  and  heathen  lands. 

-  -■■  ■-■■^  Article  II. 

LIFE   MEMBERS    AND   DIRECTORS. 

The  payment  of  ten  dollars  at  one  time  shall  constitute 
a  life  member,  or  fifty  dollars  at  one  time  a  life  director. 
No  certificate  of  life  membership  or  life  directorship  shall 
be  granted  until  the  full  amount  is  paid. 

Article  III. 

OFFICERS. 

The  oflficers  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  the  bishops  of 
the  Church,  who  shall  be  officers  ex  officio,  the  senior  bishop 
or  president  of  the  Board  of  Bishops  being  president,  and 
the  other  bishops  ranking  as  vice-presidents  according  to 
seniority ;  also  a  secretary  and  a  treasurer,  who  shall  be 
elected  every  four  years  by  the  General  Conference.  The 
General  Conference  shall  also  elect,  every  four  years,  nine 
directors,  three  of  whom  shall  be  laymen.  These,  with  the 
above-named  officers,  shall  constitute  the  board  of  directors. 
The  number  present  at  any  regular  or  called  meeting  shall 
constitute  a  quorum. 

103 


104  DISCIPLIME 

Article  IV. 

DUTIES    OF   PRESIDENT. 

The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of  the  board, 
and  shall  have  power,  in  conjunction  with  the  secretary, 
to  call  special  meetings.  In  the  absence  of  the  president, 
one  of  the  vice-presidents  shall  fill  his  place. 

Article  V. 

DUTIES   OF   THE   SECRETAEY. 

The  duties  of  the  secretary  shall  chiefly  be  to  secure  funds 
for  the  mission  treasury.  He  shall  keep  a  correct  record 
of  all  the  proceedings  of  the  society,  conduct  its  correspon- 
dence, and  devote  himself  exclusively  to  the  interests  of  the 
society.  He  shall  keep  a  record  of  all  the  life  members,  life 
directors,  legacies,  etc.  He  shall  also  make  out  and  publish, 
under  the  direction  of  the  board,  an  annual  report  of  the 
whole  missionary  work ;  also  a  quadrennial  report  to  the 
General  Conference.  His  salary  shall  be  determined  by  the 
General  Conference. 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES    OF   TREASURER. 

The  General  Church  Treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds  of 
the  society  subject  to  the  order  of  the  board.  His  salary 
shall  be  determined  by  the  General  Conference. 

Article  VII. 

DUTIES    OF    THE    BOARD   OF    DIRECTORS. 

The  board  of  directors  shall  hold  annual  meetings ;  have 
power  to  appoint  an  executive  committee,  consisting  of  five 
persons,  three  of  whom  shall  be  members  of  the  board ;  make 
by-laws  to  regulate  its  own  business ;  appropriate  money  to 
defray  incidental  expenses ;  employ  missionaries  and 
agents ;  open  new  missions ;  make  appropriations  to  mission 
conferences ;  employ  laborers  for  mission  districts ;  dissolve 
mission  conferences ;  fill  vacancies  in  its  own  body ;  in  con- 
nection with  the  bishops  or  any  one  of  them,  ordain  minis- 
ters to  the  office  of  elder ;  and  have  the  use  of  one  page, 
weekly,  in  the  Religious  Telescope  in  the  interest  of  mis- 
sions. The  missionary  secretary  shall  furnish  the  matter 
for  said  page,  which  shall  be  subject  to  the  approval  of  the 
editor. 


HOME,    FRONTIEK,    AKD    FOREIGN    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY    105 

Article  VIII. 

CONFERENCE   CONVENTIONS. 

Wherever  practicable  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  an- 
nual conference  to  provide  for  the  holding  of  district  con- 
ventions, at  least  once  a  year,  in  the  interest  of  missions. 

Article  IX. 

MISSION    DISTRICTS. 

A  mission  district  shall  consist  of  two  or  more  fields  of 
labor,  outside  the  bounds  of  an  annual  conference.  Its 
annual  sessions  shall  be  presided  over  by  a  bishop,  or  an 
elder  appointed  by  the  Board  of  Missions.  At  these  meet- 
ings the  boundaries  of  fields  of  labor  shall  be  fixed,  the  char- 
acter of  members  examined,  and  preachers  may  be  received, 
examined,  and  passed  on  course  of  reading,  and  ordained. 
A  presiding  elder  may  t)e  elected,  if  the  Board  of  Missions 
so  advise,  and  ministers  appointed  to  fill  the  fields  of  labor 
by  the  presiding  officer  and  the  presiding  elder. 

Article  X. 

MISSIONARIES. 

Each  missionary  in  the  employ  of  the  board  shall  re- 
port quarterly  to  the  secretary  the  condition  of  his  mis- 
sion ;  and  no  missionary  shall  be  entitled  to  his  salary  who 
shall  neglect  to  comply  with  this  requirement,  or  leave  his 
work  without  the  consent  of  the  executive  committee,  or 
the  Board  of  Missions,  or  his  presiding  elder.  The  presid- 
ing elders  of  mission  conferences  shall  report  quarterly  the 
condition  of  their  respective  works. 

Article  XI. 

THANK-OFFERING. 

All  pastors  in  charge  of  fields  of  labor  shall  annually,  in 
the  month  of  November,  take  a  thank-offering  collection 
at  each  appointment  on  their  charges,  which  shall  be  sent 
to  the  general  missionary  treasurer  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  and 
be  sacred  to  foreign  missions.  Each  pastor  shall  also  re- 
port said  collections  to  his  annual  conference,  and  shall  be 
examined  by  the  presiding  bishop  in  relation  to  this  duty. 


106  DISCIPLINE 

Article  XII. 

OBJECT    OF    CONTRIBUTIONS. 

1.  The  proceeds  of  the  permanent  funds  shall  be  equally 
divided  between  home  and  foreign  missions. 

2.  One-half  of  the  general  missionary  money  raised  in 
the  conferences  may  be  retained  by  the  conference  mission- 
ary treasurer  for  use  in  the  conference.  The  other  half 
shall  be  turned  over  to  the  treasurer  of  the  society,  and 
shall  be  divided  equally  betvi^een  home  and  foreign  work ; 
but  the  donors  may  specify  to  what  portion  of  the  work 
their  funds  shall  be  applied,  and  such  gifts  shall  not  be  sub- 
ject to  the  above  divisions. 

3.  Individuals,  Young  People's  societies,  congregations, 
and  conferences  shall  be  encouraged  to  have  their  own  rep- 
resentatives by  specially  supporting,  in  addition  to  the  regu- 
lar collections,  a  missionary  either  in  the  home  or  foreign 
field,  by  and  under  the  direction  of  the  Missionary  Society 
or  the  annual  conference. 

Article  XIII. 

BRANCH  OFFICERS. 

Each  conference  shall  be  considered  a  branch  of  this  so- 
ciety, and  shall  elect  a  treasurer  and  a  secretary. 

Section  1.  The  branch  treasurer  shall  immediately  for- 
ward the  funds  designed  for  the  parent  board  to  the  treas- 
urer thereof. 

Sec.  2.  The  branch  secretary  shall  keep  a  record  of  the 
proceedings  of  the  annual  conference  in  relation  to  home, 
frontier,  and  foreign  missions,  separately,  and  report  the 
same  immediately  after  the  session  of  the  conference  to 
the  secretary  of  the  board.  He  shall  report  the  number 
of  missions,  appointments,  meeting-houses,  members  at 
the  beginning  of  the  year,  members  received,  and  mem- 
bers remaining ;  Sabbath  schools,  scholars,  and  teachers ; 
what  paid  on  missions  as  salary,  what  collected  for  mis- 
sions on  missions ;  what  collected  for  missions  in  the  whole 
conference ;  how  much  paid  to  the  parent  board,  and  how 
much  paid'  to  home  missions ;  and  the  names  and  post-office 
addresses  of  life  directors  and  life  members.  The  branch 
secretaries  shall  be  responsible  to  their  respective  annual 
conferences  for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties. 


HOME,   FRONTIER,   AND  FOREIGN   MISSIONARY   SOCIETY    107 

Article  XIV. 

HOME   MISSIONS. 

Each  branch  society  shall  have  the  exclusive  manage- 
ment of  the  home  missions  within  its  own  limits ;  provided, 
however,  that  the  missionary  board  shall  be  permitted  to 
open  and  operate  missions  within  the  bounds  of  any  annual 
conference,  jointly  or  independently,  by  the  consent  of  such 
conference. 

Article  XV. 

treasurers'   SECURITY. 

Treasurers  of  the  parent  board  and  of  branch  societies 
fchall  give  approved  security. 

Article  XVI. 

BEQUESTS. 

All  bequests  and  donations,  tne  interest  of  which  is  to 
go  to  missionary  purposes,  made  to  any  of  the  above  so- 
cieties herein  mentioned,  shall  be  kept  sacred. 

Article  XVII. 

FORMATION    OF     SELF-SUPPORTING     CONFERENCES. 

The  bishops  shall  recommend  annually  to  the  Board  of 
Missions  what  mission  conferences,  if  any,  should  become 
self-supporting,  and  on  the  approval  of  the  Board  of  Mis- 
sions shall  give  notice  to  said  conference  one  year  before  it 
is  made   self-supporting. 

Article  XVIII. 

UNOCCUPIED    TERRITORY. 

The  Board  of  Missions  is  permitted  to  occupy  any  terri- 
tory within  the  bounds  of  an  annual  conference  not  occu- 
pied by  said  conference,  in  accordance  with  the  provisions 
of  Article  XIV. 

Article   XIX. 

LOCAL  SOCIETIES. 

Section  1.  Local  societies  may  be  organized  in  any 
United  Brethren  congregation  by  securing  names  and  elect- 
ing officers. 


108  DISCIPLINE 

Sec.  2.  The  officers  of  these  societies  shall  be  a  presi- 
dent, vice-president,  secretary,  and  treasurer. 

Sec.  3.  The  object  of  these  societies  shall  be  to  enlist 
and  educate  the  membership,  especially  the  young  people, 
in  missionary  work  in  the  home  and  foreign  fields. 

Sec.  4.  The  treasurer  shall  hold  all  the  funds  of  the 
society  and  transmit  the  same  through  the  pastor  of  the 
charge  annually  to  the  branch  society. 

Sec.  5.  Any  person  may  become  a  member  of  a  local 
society  upon  such  terms  as  said  society  shall  designate. 

Sec.  6.  All  societies  shall  hold  quarterly  meetings  for 
the  purpose  of  transacting  business,  securing  money,  and 
cultivating  the  spirit  of  Christian  missions. 

[Editors'  Note. — For  the  election  and  duties  of  the 
treasurer  of  this  society,  see  Chapter  V.,  Section  VIII., 
page  42.] 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

Woman's  Missionaby  Association. 

Section  I. 

ARTICLES    OF   INCORPOKATION. 

1.  The  name  by  which  this  corporation  shall  be  known 
is,  "The  Woman's  Missionary  Association  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,"  and  the  said  organization  is  not  for 
profit. 

2.  The  principal  business  of  said  corporation  is  to  be 
transacted  in  the  city  of  Dayton,  county  of  Montgomery, 
State  of  Ohio. 

3.  Said  corporation  is  formed  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
gaging and  uniting  the  efforts  of  women  in  sending  mission- 
aries into  the  foreign  and  domestic  fields  of  the  United 
Brethren  Church,  and  supporting  said  missionaries  and 
other  laborers  in  said  mission  fields,  and  in  securing  by 
gift,  bequest,  and  otherwise,  the  funds  necessary  for  the 
purpose  aforesaid. 

4.  Said  corporation  is  not  to  have  capital  stock. 

Section  II. 

BY-LAWS. 

By-Lato  I. 

MEMBERSHIP. 

The  payment  of  one  dollar  annually  shall  constitute  the 
donor  a  member  of  this  association,  and  the  payment  of 
ten  dollars  at  one  time,  a  life  member.  The  payment  of 
twenty-five  dollars  at  one  time  shall  constitute  the  donor 
a  life  director.  The  payment  of  one  hundred  dollars  at 
one  time  shall  constitute  the  donor  a  life  patron.  By  the 
installment  plan  the  payment  of  two  dollars  annually  for 
five  years  shall  constitute  the  donor  a  life  member,  or  five 
dollars  annually  for  five  years,  a  life  director,  or  twenty- 
five  dollars  annually  for  four  years,  or  fifty  dollars  annually 

1C9 


110  DISCIPLINE 

for  two  years,  a  life  patron.     A  certificate  is  given  at  the 
time  of  payment  in  full. 

By-Law  II. 

ORGANIZATION, 

The  organization  of  this  association  shall  consist  of  a 
board  of  managers,  nine  trustees,  and  branch  and  local 
societies  to  be  organized  under  the  constitution  hereto  at- 
tached. 

By-Law  III. 

BOARD    OF    MANAGERS. 

The  board  of  managers  shall  consist  of  the  trustees  and 
three  delegates  from  each  branch  society,  who  shall  be 
elected  at  the  branch  annual  meeting  preceding  the  meet- 
ing of  the  board.  Said  board  shall  meet  annually  at  such 
time  and  place  as  shall  be  designated. 

The  duties  of  said  board  shall  be  advisory  to  the  trus- 
tees. Life  patrons  shall  have  all  the  privileges  of  full 
members  of  the  board  of  managers.  Life  directors  of  the 
association  shall  be  regarded  as  advisory  members  of  the 
board  of  managers. 

By-Laiv   IV. 

TRUSTEES    AND    OFFICERS. 

The  trustees  are  to  be  elected  by  the  members  of  the  as- 
sociation, who  shall  vote  either  in  person  or  by  proxy,  on 
the  first  Thursday  in  June,  in  the  city  of  Dayton.  The 
oflScers  shall  be  elected  by  the  trustees,  and  shall  consist  of 
a  president,  three  or  more  vice-presidents,  a  corresponding 
secretary,  a  recording  secretary,  and  a  treasurer. 

By-Law  V. 

DUTIES   OF  THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES. 

The  board  of  trustees  shall  have  power  to  select  locations 
for  missions,  appoint  missionaries,  appropriate  the  funds 
of  the  association  as  the  interest  of  the  cause  may  de- 
mand, and  attend  to  the  administration  of  the  affairs  of  the 
association. 


woman's  missionary  society  111 

By-Latv    VI. 

relation  of  the  association  to  the  church. 

This  association  shall  work  in  harmony  with  the  Home, 
Frontier,  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  and  under  the  direction  of  the  General 
Conference  of  said  Church.  Its  missionaries  shall  be  sub- 
ject to  the  same  rules  that  govern  the  missionaries  of  the 
aforesaid  missionary  society. 

By-Law   VII. 

FUNDS. 

All  funds  coming  into  the  hands  of  the  treasurer  of  the 
association  shall  be  held  subject  to  the  order  of  the  board 
of  trustees,  and  no  funds  shall  be  disbursed  by  the  treas- 
urer except  upon  the  orders  of  said  board,  duly  signed  by 
the  secretary. 

By-Law   VIII. 

BRANCH    SOCIETIES. 

One  branch  society  may  be  formed  within  the  bounds  of 
any  annual  conference  of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  by 
the  adoption  of  the  branch  constitution. 

By-Law  IX. 

These  by-laws  may  be  altered  or  amended  at  any  annual 
meeting  of  the  board  of  managers  by  a  vote  of  two-thirds 
of  the  members  present. 

Form  of  Bequest. 

I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Association   of   the   United   Brethren    in     Christ,     the    sum 

of  ,  to  be  applied  to  the  purposes  set  forth   in  the 

Articles  of  Incorporation  adopted  March  28,  1890. 

Name , 

Section  III. 

BRANCH    constitution. 

Article  I. 

This  society  shall  be  called  the Conference  Branch 

of    the    Woman's    Missionary    Association     of     the     United 
Brethren  in  Christ. 


112  DISCIPLINE 

Article  II. 

The  object  of  this  society  is  to  aid  the  association  to 
awaken  an  interest  among  women  in  behalf  of  Christian 
missions,  and  to  raise  funds  for  their  support. 

Article   III. 

The  membership  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  the  mem- 
bers of  the  association  within  the  limits  of  this  conference 
district. 

Article   IV. 

Section  1.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  pres- 
ident, two  vice-presidents,  a  secretary,  and  a  treasurer, 
who  together  shall  constitute  an  executive  committee  to 
supervise  the  entire  work  of  the  association  within  the 
conference  district.  It  shall  be  their  duty  to  make  earnest 
efforts  to  secure  the  organization  of  local  societies  in  all 
the  United  Brethren  congregations  within  the  bounds  of 
the  conference. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  this  so- 
ciety to  keep  a  correct  record  of  its  proceedings  and  the 
proceedings  of  the  executive  committee,  and  transmit  a  re- 
port to  the  corresponding  secretary  of  the  board  of  man- 
agers at  least  ten  days  before  the  annual  meeting  of  the 
board. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  receive 
and  hold  the  funds  of  the  society,  and  transmit  the  same 
quarterly  to  the  treasurer  of  the  board,  the  last  report  to 
be  sent  in  at  least  ten  days  before  the  meeting  of  the  board 
of  managers. 

Article  V. 

This  society  shall  hold  annual  meetings  to  elect  its  officers 
and  members  of  the  board  of  managers,  and  to  transact  any 
business  pertaining  to  its  work,  its  members  to  consist  of 
the  officers  and  three  delegates  from  each  local  society. 


This   society   shall   provide   for   the   expenses   ©f   its   dele- 
itea  to  the  annual  meetings  of  the  board  of  managers. 


woman's  missionary  society  113 

Article    VII. 

Life  directors  and  life  members  within  the  bounds  of 
the  conference  shall  be  regarded  as  advisory  members  of 
the  annual  meetings  of  this  society. 


Section  IV. 

LOCAL    constitution. 

Article  I. 
This  society  shall  be  called  the Local  Society  of 


Branch  Society  of  the  Woman's  Missionary  Association  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ ;  and  any  woman  may  become 
a  member  of  the  same  by  consenting  to  the  by-laws  of  said 
association. 

Article  II. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  a  president, 
vice-president,  secretary,  and  treasurer,  and  two  or  more 
collectors.  , 

Article   III. 

Section  1.  The  duties  of  the  president  shall  be  those 
usual  to  the  office. 

Sec.  2.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  vice-president  to  as- 
sume the  duties  of  president  in  her  absence. 

Sec.  3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  to  keep  a 
record  of  the  proceedings  of  each  meeting,  with  the  names 
of  members,  and  report  quarterly  to  the  secretary  of  the 
branch  society. 

Sec.  4.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  treasurer  to  hold  all 
funds  of  the  society  and  transmit  the  same  quarterly  to 
the  treasurer  of  the  branch  society. 

Sec.  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  collectors  to  visit 
members  of  the  Church  and  solicit  names,  collect  quarterly 
dues,  and  report  the  number  of  visits  and  amount  collected 
at  each  meeting. 

Article  IV. 

Any  child  may  become  a  member  of  this  society  upon 
the  payment  of  cents  per  quarter. 


114  DISCIPLINE 


Article  V. 


This  society  shall  meet  quarterly,  and  shall  arrange  its 
year  with  reference  to  the  annual  meeting  of  the  branch 
society. 

The  election  of  officers  and  delegates  to  the  branch  meet- 
ing shall  be  held  at  the  last  quarterly  meeting  preceding 
the  branch  meeting. 

Article  VI. 

This  society  shall  appoint  a  superintendent  of  the  chil- 
dren's band,  who  shall  also  take  charge  of  the  funds,  and 
report  quarterly  to  the  treasurer  of  the  branch  society. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Women's  Aid  Society. 

constitution. 

Article  I. 

ORGANIZATION. 

When  at  any  time  an  opportunity  presents  itself  for  the 
organization  of  a  sufficient  number  of  women  (who  are 
members  or  friends  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren 
in  Christ)  into  a  society  for  mutual  aid  in  promoting  the 
spiritual,  social,  financial,  and  intellectual  interests  of  a 
congregation  or  charge,  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  pastor 
or  the  presiding  elder  of  the  district  to  call  together  the 
women  of  the  congregation  or  charge,  and,  after  se- 
curing the  names  of  all  present  wishing  to  become  members 
of  the  organization,  he  shall  proceed  to  organize,  by  electing 
by  ballot,  a  president,  vice-president,  secretary,  and  treas- 
urer, whose  duties  shall  be  those  usually  devolving  upon 
such   officers. 

Article  II. 

NAME. 

This  organization  shall  be  known  as  the  Women's  Aid 
Society   of  the   Church   of  the   United   Brethren    in    Christ 

at  . 

Article  III. 

ANNUAI.    ELECTION. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  elected  by  ballot  an- 
nually, at  its  last  meeting  preceding  the  session  of  the  an- 
nual conference,  and  the  officers  elect  shall  assume  the 
duties  of  their  offices  at  the  first  meeting  succeeding  the 
session  of  the  annual  conference,  at  which  time  the  secre- 
tary  shall   turn   over   to   the   secretary-elect   all   books   and 

115 


116  DISCIPLINE 

papers  belonging  to  the  society,  and  the  treasurer  shall 
make  settlement  with  and  turn  over  to  the  treasurer-elect 
all  funds  belonging  to  the  society. 

The  president  of  this  soeiety,  when  a  member  of  the 
Church,  shall  be  a  member  of  the  quarterly  conference. 

Article  IV. 

MEMBEESHIP. 

Any  woman  of  good  standing,  friendly  to  the  work  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  may  become  a 
member  of  the  society. 

Article  V. 

MEETINGS. 

The  regular  meetings  of  the  society  shall  be  at  least  once 
each  month,  and  oftener  when  any  interest  demands  it. 

The  meetings  shall  always  open  and  close  with  devotional 
exercises,  and  the  deliberations  shall  be  conducted  accord- 
ing to  the  usages  of  the  Church. 

In  case  of  the  absence  of  the  president  and  vice-president, 
the  secretary  shall  call  the  meeting  to  order,  and  proceed 
to  the  election  of  a  president  pro  tern.,  whose  official  acts 
shall  be  valid. 

Article  VI. 

DUES. 

Each  member  of  the  society  shall  pay  into  the  treasury 
of  the  same  the  regular  monthly  dues  agreed  upon  by  the 
society,  and  in  case  a  member  shall  fail  to  pay  for  six  con- 
secutive months,  unless  unable  to  do  so,  her  name  may  be 
erased  from  the  roll  of  the  society. 

Article  VII. 

DISBURSEMENT    OF    FUNDS. 

All  moneys  collected  on  dues,  or  otherwise,  by  the  so- 
ciety, shall  be  used  for  the  benefit  of  the  congregation,  or 
charge,  or  for  any  benevolent  purpose,  as  the  society  may 
direct. 


women's  aid  society  117 

Article  VIII. 

CHEISTIAN  VISITATION. 

In  order  to  promote  the  work  of  Christianity  among  the 
families  under  our  influence,  the  members  of  the  society 
may  arrange,  so  as  to  have  all  such  families  visited  at 
least  once  a  month,  by  dividing  the  homes  to  be  visited  into 
districts  and  one  or  two  go  to  each  home,  look  after  the 
sick,  invite  persons  to  the  various  services  of  the  church, 
and  report  to  the  pastor  or  leader  all  persons  whose  inter- 
est demands  immediate  attention. 

This  is  not  to  be  substituted  for  the  leaders  nor  for  pas- 
toral visiting,  but  to  aid  them  in  their  work. 

Article  IX. 

AMENDMENTS, 

This  constitution  may  be  altered  or  amended  by  a  two- 
thirds  vote  of  the  members  present  at  any  regular  meeting 
of  the  society. 


'■  CHAPTER  XXI. 

Church-Erection  Society. 

constitution. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

This  society  shall  be  known  as  the  "Church-Erection  So- 
ciety of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,"  lo- 
cated in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

Article  II. 

OBJECT. 

The  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  assist  congrega- 
tions in  locating  and  erecting  houses  of  worship  and  par- 
sonages. 

Article  III. 

OFFICERS. 

The  officers  of  this  society  shall  consist  of  nine  direc- 
tors, three  of  whom  shall  be  laymen,  a  corresponding  secre- 
tary, and  a  treasurer,  the  directors  and  secretary  to  be 
elected  by  the  General  Conference.  The  bishops  shall  be 
directors  of  this  society  ex  officio. 

These  officers  and  directors  shall  constitute  a  board  of 
managers,  who  shall  meet  immediately  on  adjournment  of 
the  General  Conference,  and  organize  by  electing  a  presi- 
dent and  vice-president. 

The  corresponding  secretary  shall  be  recording  secretary 
of  the  board. 

Article  IV. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

Section  1.  The  president  shall  preside  at  all  meetings 
of  the  board,  and  shall  have  power,  in  conjunction  with 
the  secretary  and  two  directors,  to  call  special  meetings.     In 

118 


CHUKCH-ERECTION   SOCIETY  119 

the  absence  of  the  president,  the  vice-president  shall  pre- 
side. 

Sec.  2.  The  corresponding  secretary  shall  keep  a  rec- 
ord of  the  proceedings  of  the  board,  conduct  its  corre- 
spondence, and  devote  himself  to  the  work  of  securing  funds 
and  otherwise  attending  to  the  interests  of  the  society  as 
the  board  may  direct.  He  shall  publish  annual  and  quad- 
rennial reports  of  the  work  of  the  society.  The  salary  of 
such  secretary  shall  be  fixed  by  the  General  Conference. 

Sec.  3.  The  treasurer  shall  hold  the  funds  of  the  so- 
ciety subject  to  the  order  of  the  board. 

Sec.  4.  The  board  of  managers  shall  hold  annual  meet- 
ings, appoint  an  executive  committee  of  its  own  number, 
make  by-laws  to  regulate  its  business,  lend  money  to 
churches,  appropriate  money  to  defray  incidental  expenses, 
and  publish  such  matter  from  time  to  time  as  the  cause 
may  require.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  board  of  managers, 
in  case  of  vacancy  in  the  office  of  secretary,  from  death, 
resignation,  or  otherwise,  to  appoint  his  successor  as  soon 
as  practicable,  who  shall  serve  till  the  following  General 
Conference. 

Article  V. 

BRANCHES. 

Each  annual  conference  in  the  Church  is  hereby  con- 
stituted a  branch  of  this  society,  and  shall  elect  annually 
a  branch  secretary,  treasurer,  and  board  of  directors,  who 
may  adopt  such  rules  and  regulations  for  their  government 
— not  conflicting  herewith — as  they  may  determine.  The 
branch  secretary  and  treasurer  shall  report  annually  to 
their  respective  societies. 

Article  VI. 

APPORTIONMENT    AND   DIVISION. 

It  shall  be  the  duty  of  each  annual  conference  to  make  a 
judicious  apportionment  to  the  several  fields  of  labor  with- 
in its  bounds  for  this  interest,  one-half  of  which  fund, 
when  collected,  shall  be  transmitted  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
parent  board  of  church  erection,  located  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 
the  Branch  treasurer  retaining  one-half  for  the  conference ; 
provided,  however,  that  special  donations  and  bequests  shall 
go  to  the  parent  society  unless  the  dontrs  direct  otherwise. 


120  DISCIPLINE       . 

Article   VII. 

RECEIPTS    OF    TREASURER. 

The  treasurer  shall  receipt  for  all  money  sent  him  by  the 
rarious  conference  treasurers.  The  General  Church  Treas- 
urer shall  be  the  treasurer  of  this  society. 

Article  VIII. 

APPLICATION   FOR   AID. 

Application  for  aid  from  this  society  shall  be  made  to 
the  board  of  managers,  through  the  oflBicers  of  the  branch 
society ;  provided,  however,  that  in  the  locating  and  erec- 
tion of  houses  of  vrorship  no  board  of  trustees  applying  for 
help  from  the  parent  board  shall  receive  a  loan  from  said 
board  until  the  location  has  received  the  approval  of  the 
conference  board. 

Article  IX. 

RETURN  OF  LOANS. 

Should  any  local  church  thus  aided  lose  its  organization, 
so  as  to  make  the  sale  of  its  house  necessary,  then  out  of 
the  proceeds  of  such  sale  the  amount  loaned,  with  interest, 
shall  be  refunded  to  the  Church-Erection  Board. 

Article  X. 

GRANTING    OF    LOANS. 

Section  1.  The  board  shall  make  no  appropriations 
where  there  is  reasonable  prospect  that  the  church  asking 
aid  can  succeed  without  it,  or  where  there  is  no  prospect 
of  gathering  a  good  membership. 

Sec.  2.  All  aid  rendered  shall  be  only  as  a  loan,  the 
principle  to  be  refunded  without  interest  at  such  times  as 
the  board  may  direct,  but  in  no  case  for  a  longer  term  than 
five  years  at  any  one  time,  or  more  than  five  hundred  dol- 
lars to  any  single  church,  except  that  in  large,  growing 
towns  and  cities  the  amount  may  be  increased  and  the  time 
extended  at  the  discretion  of  the  board ;  provided,  however, 
that  contributions  to  a,  donation  fund  may  be  received  and 
appropriated  to  aid  in  the  erection  of  churches  in  im- 
portant localities,  under  such  regulations  as  the  board  may 
adopt. 


CHURCH-ERECTION   SOCIETY  121 

Sec.  3.  Funds  shall  not  be  loaned  to  any  church  until 
the  church  property  is  secured  by  deed  as  provided  for  in 
the  Discipline ;  nor  shall  loans  be  made  to  churches  until 
their  trustees  have  forwarded  an  abstract  of  the  title  of 
their  property,  certificate  of  release  of  all  mechanics'  liens 
and  other  incumbrances,  and  their  notes,  secured  by  the 
first  mortgage  on  the  premises  properly  recorded  in  the 
records  of  the  courts,  for  the  inspection  of  the  board  of 
managers,  or  executive  committee. 

Article  XI. 

INSURANCE. 

Section  1.  The  trustees  of  any  church  or  parsonage 
which  receives  a  loan  from  the  Church-Erection  Society 
shall  be  required  to  secure  said  property  from  loss  by  fire  in 
some  reliable  insurance  company  in  favor  of  said  Church- 
Erection   Society. 

Sec.  2.  The  parent  board  shall  have  authority  to  con- 
stitute, by  special  act  of  incorporation,  a  plan  to  insurt 
churches  and  parsonages  within  the  denomination. 

Article  XII. 

PARSONAGE  FUND. 

1.  This  fund  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  Church- 
Erection  Society,  and  shall  be  loaned,  without  interest,  to 
aid  in  the  building  of  parsonages,  on  the  same  plan  and 
under  the  same  regulations  that  loans  are  made  to  churches. 

2.  The  Church-Erection  Society  shall  adopt  such 
methods  as  it  shall  deem  proper  to  increase  this  fund  and 
to  bring  the  membership  of  the  Church  into  a  larger  sym- 
pathy with  the  work  of  building  parsonages. 

3.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Church-Erection  Secretary 
to  include  in  his  annual  report  to  the  board  a  full  state- 
ment of  new  funds  received  and  of  loans  returned,  together 
with  the  number  of  parsonages  added  during  the  year. 

Article  XIII. 

DUTY   OF   THE    MINISTRY. 

1.  Each  pastor  shall  present  the  interests  of  church 
erection  to  his  people  during  the  year,  and  distribute  such 
literature  as  will  best  inform  them  upon  the  subject. 


122  DISCIPLINE 

2.  The  presiding  elder  shall  direct  attention  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  society  at  quarterly  meetings,  and  shall  ad- 
vise with  the  pastors  as  to  the  best  methods  of  securing 
the  assessments  in  full.  They  shall  also  interest  themselves 
in  securing  special  gifts  and  bequests  from  those  who  may 
be  able  to  give. 

[Note.— For  the  election  and  duties  of  the  treasurer  of  this  so- 
ciety, see  Chap.  V.,  Section  VIII.,  page  42.] 


CHAPTER  XXII 
Printing  Establishment  and  Church  Publications. 

Section  I. 

PRINTING   establishment. 

Name. 

1.  This  establishment  shall  be  called  "The  Printing  Es- 
tablishment of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ." 

Election  of  Officers. 

2.  The  controlling  authority  herein  granted  shall  be 
vested  in  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church,  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  elect  the  necessary  agents  and  editors, 
and  fix  their  salaries,  and  make  or  amend  such  rules  as  in 
its  judgment  it  may  deem  expedient. 

Trustees — Election  and  Duties. 

3.  The  General  Conference  shall  elect  a  board  of  nine 
trustees  from  the  four  bishops'  districts,  to  serve  for  four 
years,  or  until  their  successors  are  elected ;  provided,  that 
not  less  than  three  of  the  number  shall  be  residents  of  Day- 
ton or  its  vicinity. 

4.  The  board  of  trustees  thus  elected  shall,  during  the 
interval  of  the  General  Conferences,  take  the  oversight  of 
the  Printing  Establishment.  They  shall  meet  annually, 
or  oftener  if  need  be,  in  the  Publishing  House  in  Dayton, 
Ohio,  on  the  call  of  their  president.  They  shall  also  select 
a  local  committee  of  three  of  their  number,  from  among 
those  residing  in  Dayton  or  its  vicinity. 

5.  The  local  committee  shall  take  the  oversight  of  the 
establishment  during  the  intervals  of  the  meetings  of  the 
board  of  trustees.  It  shall  meet  monthly,  or  oftener  if 
need  be,  and  shall  have  power  to  order  expenses  curtailed 
in  any  department  of  the  Publishing  House ;  and  should 
there  arise  a  difference  of  opinion  between  the  Agent  and 
editor  of  any  of  the  publications  as  to  what  shall  appear 
in  the  columns  of  any  paper,  the  committee  shall  decide 
the  matter ;  it  shall  also  decide  what  books  that  have  been 

123 


124  DISCIPLINE 

approved  by  the  book  committee  shall  be  published  by  the 
House,  and  transact  such  other  business  as  may  come  be- 
fore it. 

6.  The  board  of  trustees  shall  have  full  power  at  any 
meeting  to  discontinue  any  periodical  when  the  interests  of 
the  Church  or  Printing  Establishment  demand  it ;  such 
action  shall,  however,  not  be  taken  except  by  a  two-thirds 
vote  of  the  board. 

7.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  trustees  to  see  that  the 
Agent  and  editors  properly  and  faithfully  discharge  their 
duties.  In  case  of  dereliction  of  duty,  they  may  suspend  the 
delinquent  party  or  parties  from  office  until  the  General 
Conference ;  provided,  however,  that  no  one  shall  be  sus- 
pended until  a  copy  of  the  complaints  in  writing  has  been 
presented  to  the  accused,  and  an  opportunity  given  for  de- 
fense before  the  board  of  trustees. 

8.  The  trustees  may  make  any  by-laws  which  may  seem 
to  them  expedient  for  the  regulation  of  the  minor  concerns 
of  the  Printing  Establishment,  provided  they  are  not  in- 
consistent with  any  General  Conference  rule. 

Duties  of  Publishing  Agent. 

9.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Agent  to  supervise  and 
manage  the  business  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  un- 
der the  direction  of  the  board  of  trustees ;  to  regulate  the 
publications  and  all  other  affairs  of  the  House,  except  that 
which  pertains  to  the  editorial  departments,  in  such  man- 
ner as  the  interests  of  the  Church  may  require.  He  shall 
also  furnish  to  the  local  committee,  at  each  monthly  meet- 
ing, a  full  and  satisfactory  statement  of  all  the  business 
transactions  of  the  previous  month  ;  and,  if  desired  by  the 
committee,  he  shall  present  for  examination  all  books, 
vouchers,  and  papers,  and  afford  the  committee  every  means 
and  facility  for  a  full  and  intelligent  understanding  of  the 
business  of  the  Publishing  House.  He  shall  keep  separate 
accounts  with  each  department  of  the  business,  and  also 
each  periodical  published,  and  carry  into  effect  all  of  the 
instructions  of  the  board  of  trustees  and  local  committee. 

10.  The  Agent  and  local  committee  shall  annually  take 
an  account  of  stock,  including  in  the  inventory  all  the  as- 
sets, of  whatever  nature,  of  the  Printing  Establishment 
at  their  estimated  cash  value,  except  the  real  estate,  which 
shall  be  appraised  by  the  local  committee  of  the  board  of 


PRINTING   ESTABLISHMENT   AND    CHURCH    PUBLICATIONS  125 

trustees  at  the  end  of  each  quadrennium,  and  the  valuation 
shall  not  be  changed  prior  to  the  close  of  the  succeeding 
quadrennium  except  by  the  purchase  or  sale,  improvement 
or  destruction,  of  property.  Such  inventory  shall  also  con- 
tain a  full  and  detailed  statement  of  all  liabilities,  profits, 
and  losses. 

11.  The  Agent  shall  prepare  and  publish  a  report  of  the 
condition  of  the  Printing  Establishment  annually,  in  the 
Religious  Telescope,  and  he  shall  also  make  a  report  to  the 
General  Conference.  He  shall  make  arrangements  for  ver- 
batim  reports  of  the  proceedings  of  the  General  Conference 
for  publication. 

Vacancies. 

12.  Should  any  vacancy  occur  in  any  of  the  offices  of 
the  Printing  Establishment,  or  in  the  board  of  trustees, 
the  trustees  shall  fill  such  vacancy  until  the  sitting  of  the 
succeeding  General  Conference. 

Employment  of  Time. 

13.  No  editor  or  officer  employed  in  the  Printing  Es- 
tablishment shall  accept  any  office  or  engage  in  any  busi- 
ness which  will  interfere  with  the  duties  of  his  office. 

Proceeds. 

14.  The  profits  of  the  Printing  Establishment,  after  a 
sufficient  capital  to  carry  on  the  business  is  retained,  shall 
be  applied  to  the  benefit  of  traveling  and  worn-out  itinerant 
preachers  and  their  widows  and  orphans.  The  distribu- 
tion of  any  available  profits  of  the  Printing  Establishment 
for  this  purpose  shall  be  in  proportion  to  the  number  of 
regular  ministers  in  each  annual  conference  who  are  itin- 
erants according  to  the  "Itinerant  Plan"  of  the  Discipline. 
It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  secretary  of  each  annual  con- 
ference each  year  to  report  to  the  Publishing  Agent,  at 
Dayton,  Ohio,  the  true  number  of  such  itinerants  as  shown 
by  the  records  of  his  conference ;  also  the  name  and  ad- 
dress of  the  conference  treasurer  appointed  to  receive  the 
dividend  awarded  to  the  conference. 

Section   II. 

CHURCH    PUBLICATIONS. 

Book  Committee. 
1.     The  editor  of  the  Religious  Telescope,  the  editor  of 
the    Sabbath-school    literature,    and    the    Publishing    Agent, 


126  DISCIPLINE 

ghall  constitute  a  book  committee,  without  whose  sanction 
no  book  shall  be  published  in  the  name  of  the  Church  or 
Publishing  House  during  the  intervals  of  the  General  Con- 
ference. 

Authorship  of  Doctrinal  Publications. 

2.  No  one  of  our  preachers  or  laymen  shall  become  the 
author  of  any  doctrinal  book  or  pamphlet,  in  a  printed 
form,  in  the  name  of  the  Church,  without  the  approbation 
of  the  book  committee  or  the  annual  conference,  or  of  a 
committee  chosen  by  the  latter.  And  if  any  preacher  or 
layman  violates  this  rule,  he  shall  be  accountable  to  the 
class  or  to  the  quarterly  or  annual  conference,  as  the  case 
may  be. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 
Education. 
Section  I. 

BOAKD   OF   EDUCATION — CONSTITUTION. 

1.  There  shall  be  a  general  board  of  education,  known 
by  the  name  of  "The  Board  of  Education,"  under  the  care 
of  the  General  Conference  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ.  This  board  shall  consist  of  nine  mem- 
bers, elected  by  the  General  Conference,  who  shall  hold 
office  for  four  years.  The  bishops  shall  be  members  ex 
ofjlcio  of  the  board.  Five  members,  including  the  president 
or  vice-president,  shall  constitute  a  quorum.  This  board 
shall  have  full  power  to  direct  and  supervise  the  educa- 
tional work  of  the  Church,  by  carrying  out  the  rules  and 
regulations  enacted  by  the  General  Conference. 

Officers. 

2.  The  officers  shall  be  a  president,  vice-president,  re- 
cording secretary,  corresponding  secretary,  and  treasurer. 
These  shall  be  elected  by  the  members  of  the  board  at  their 
first  regular  meeting  after  the  sitting  of  the  General  Con- 
ference, and  shall  hold  office  until  the  next  regular  session 
of  the  General  Conference. 

3.  The  board  may  elect  any  competent  persons,  mem- 
bers of  the  United  Brethren  Church,  to  be  its  treasurer  and 
corresponding  secretary ;  these,  if  elected  outside  of  the 
board,  shall  be  advisory  members  of  the  board. 

4.  The  corresponding  secretary  is  to  devote  such  por- 
tion of  his  time  to  the  work  of  the  board  as  it  may  direct, 
his  compensation  to  be  fixed  by  the  board. 

5.  In  case  of  vacancy  occurring  in  the  board,  by  death 
or  otherwise,  the  board  shall  have  power  to  fill  the  vacancy, 
the  election  to  be  by  ballot,  and  the  person  elected  to  hold 
office  until  the  next  meeting  of  the  General  Conference. 

127 


128  DISCIPLINE 

6.  There  shall  be  at  least  one  session  of  the  board  each 
year.  Special  meetings  of  the  board  shall  be  called  by  the 
president,  upon  request  of  five  members. 

Objects. 

7.  The  objects  of  this  board  shall  be : 

GENERAL    AIM. 

(1)  To  assist  in  every  way  the  cause  of  higher  educa- 
tion in  the  Church,  to  awaken  and  stimulate  an  interest  in 
this  important  work  throughout  the  borders  of  our  Zion, 
to  encourage  and  aid  our  educational  institutions  that  are 
striving  to  bring  the  Church  to  greater  efficiency,  and  to 
unite  the  friends  of  education  in  their  efforts,  that  greater 
unity  of  plan  may  be  secured,  and  the  forces  of  the  Church 
combined  to  give  our  people  advantages  commensurate  with 
the  needs  of  the  present  day. 

BENEFICIARY   AID. 

(2)  To  raise  funds  by  collection,  donation,  or  bequest, 
to  aid  by  loan,  without  interest,  as  the  executive  com- 
mittee may  determine,  in  educating,  in  both  their  collegiate 
and  theological  courses,  worthy  young  persons  who  are  pre- 
paring themselves  for  the  work  of  the  gospel  ministry,  or 
as  missionaries  in  the  United  Brethren  Church ;  provided, 
however,  that  the  board  shall  have  power  to  receive  money 
and  use  it  for  other  educational  purposes,  as  donors  may 
direct. 

PUBLICATIONS. 

(3)  To  seek  by  the  publication  of  tracts,  pamphlets, 
addresses,  or  books  upon  educational  questions,  to  diffuse 
among  our  members  a  more  general  knowledge  of  the  value 
of  a  sanctified  education  and  of  a  well-instructed  ministry, 
and  thereby  awaken  in  them  a  better  appreciation  of  our 
institutions  of  learning,  and  of  the  obligations  resting  upon 
them  to  give  of  their  substance  for  their  support. 

REPORTS  AND  RECOMMENDATIONS. 

(4)  To  make  an  annual  report  of  the  general  and  finan- 
cial condition  of  the  colleges  and  other  educational  insti- 
tutions of  the  Church ;   to  make   such  recommendations   to 


EDUCATION  129 

the  managers  of  these  institutions  as  will  tend  to  make  them 
more  effective ;  to  secure,  as  far  as  may  seem  desirable, 
harmony  of  courses  of  study  between  preparatory  schools 
and  colleges  and  universities. 

ESTABLISHMENT  OF  SCHOOLS  AND  COLLEGES. 

(5)  To  discourage  the  multiplication  of  schools  and 
colleges  where  they  cannot  be  properly  supported.  Con- 
ferences, or  a  conference,  wishing  to  establish,  relocate,  or 
change  the  grade  of  a  school,  shall  first  counsel  with  the 
Board  of  Education,  both  as  to  the  advisability  of  the  meas- 
ure proposed,  and  also  as  to  the  method  and  location,  and 
any  school  started  without  the  sanction  of  this  board  shall 
not  be  recognized  as  a  Church  school.  The  board  shall 
make  inquiry  as  to  the  number  of  schools  within  different 
communities,  and  where  found  to  be  too  numerous,  the 
board  shall  institute  measures  for  combination  and  con- 
centration of  their  resources  and  efforts. 

Collections. 

8.  To  accomplish  these  results,  the  board  may  cause 
an  annual  collection  to  be  taken  on  the  next  Sabbath  fol- 
lowing the  last  Thursday  of  January,  or  at  such  other  time 
as  the  presiding  elder  of  any  district  may  deem  most  suit- 
able. The  preacher  in  charge,  or  some  other  competent 
person,  shall  first  preach  a  sermon  or  make  appropriate  re- 
marks concerning  the  object,  plans,  and  work  of  this  board, 
and  then  take  a  collection  in  such  manner  as  will  secure 
the  largest  amount  of  funds.  If  the  board  thinks  best,  it 
may  apportion  the  amount  to  be  raised  by  the  various  con- 
ferences, according  to  their  number  and  ability,  and  the 
conferences  in  turn  shall  make  these  apportionments  to  their 
respective  fields  of  labor,  and  the  funds  thus  raised  shall  be 
sent  to  the  treasurer  of  the  board. 

Recommendations  for  Aid. 

9.  Young  persons  aided  by  this  board  must  first  be 
recommended  as  suitable  persons  to  receive  aid,  by  the 
conference  in  whose  bounds  they  live,  or  to  which  they 
belong ;  or  by  the  Board  of  Missions,  when  the  applicant 
does   not   reside  within   the   bounds   of   any   conference ;    or 


130  DISCIPLINE 

by  an  educational  committee  appointed  by  the  conference, 
to  whom  all  requests  for  aid,  not  acted  upon  by  conference, 
or  which  shall  occur  during  the  interim  of  its  sessions,  shall 
be  referred. 

Delinquents. 

10.  Any  person  having  received  aid  from  the  Board  of 
Education  shall  not  be  granted  an  honorable  dismissal  by 
his  conference  until  he  shall  have  made  satisfactory  settle- 
ment with  the  board.  The  bishops  are  directed  to  enforce 
this  provision. 

Executive   Committee  and  By-Laws. 

11.  The  board  shall  have  power  to  appoint  an  executive 
committee  from  its  own  body,  and  to  make  such  by-laws 
to  regulate  its  own  proceedings,  and  take  such  other  meas- 
ures to  accomplish  the  object  of  its  creation,  as  shall  not  be 
inconsistent  with  this  constitution. 

Quadrennial  Report. 

12.  The  board,  through  its  corresponding  secretary,  shall 
make  to  the  General  Conference  a  report  of  all  the  work 
done  during  the  preceding  four  years,  including  money  re- 
ceived by  collections,  bequests,  or  otherwise,  the  amount 
paid  out,  and  the  purposes  for  which  it  was  paid.  The 
board  may  propose  to  the  General  Conference,  from  time 
to  time,  such  plans  as  it  may  consider  useful  or  necessary 
for  the  success  of  the  work  committed  to  it. 

13.  No  addition  or  amendments  to  the  provisions  of  this 
constitution  shall  be  made  except  by  consent  of  a  majority 
of  the  meml)ers  of  the  General  Conference  present  at  any 
of  its  sessions.  Notice  of  any  proposed  addition  or  amend- 
ment shall  be  given  at  least  one  day  previous  to  its  con- 
sideration. 

Section  II, 

ACADEMIES. 

In  this  day  of  excellent  high-schools  in  many  parts  of 
our  country,  academies  should  be  located  judiciously,  and 
should  confine  their  literary  courses  of  study  to  such  branches 
of  learning  as  will  prepare  for  entrance  upon  the  freshman 
or  sophomore  yerr  of  the  best  colleges.  An  academy  doing 
such  work  is  greatly  preferable  to  an  inferior  college.     No 


EDUCATION  131 

new   academy    shall    be   undertaken   with    a   less   sum    than 
twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 

Section  III. 

COLLEGES. 

1.  The  success  of  our  church  work  is  connected  vitally 
with  the  colleges  of  the  Church.  In  these  our  youth  are 
developed  and  equipped  in  mind  and  heart  for  the  work  of 
effective  service  to  humanity. 

2.  The  ministry  and  laity  should  earnestly  use  their 
power  to  have  as  many  young  people  as  possible  attend  our 
own  institutions  of  learning,  and  to  encourage  persons  to 
give  liberally  of  their  means  for  the  more  thorough  estab- 
lishment and  equipment  of  our  educational  institutions. 

3.  For  the  purpose  of  greater  unity  and  efficiency  in  our 
educational  work,  the  General  Conference  directs  that  the 
length  of  a  course  of  study  leading  to  degrees  be  three 
years  in  the  preparatory  department  and  four  years  in  the 
college,  and  asks  all  the  schools  in  the  Church  to  adopt  this 
standard. 

4.  No  college  shall  be  founded  except  upon  the  demand 
of  an  imperative  necessity,  or  with  a  less  sum  of  money 
than  one  hundred  thousand  dollars,  of  which  fifty  thousand 
dollars  shall  be  a  permanent  and  productive  endowment, 
and  whose  title  shall  be  in  fee  simple  to  the  Church  of  the 
United  Brethren  in  Christ.  As  to  Christian  education,  the 
divine  Word  aptly  declares :  "Wisdom  is  a  defence,  and 
money  is  a  defence :  but  the  excellency  of  knowledge  is, 
that  wisdom  giveth  life  to  them  that  have  it." 

5.  It  is  advised  that  any  conference  cooperating  with 
any  of  our  institutions  of  learning  remain  therewith  until 
there  be  an  equitable  adjustment  of  all  outstanding  obliga- 
tions of  such  institution,  either  as  may  be  determined  by 
such  conference  and  the  trustees  of  the  institution,  or  by 
the  Board  of  Education. 

6.  It  is  recommended  that  the  several  presidents  and 
principals  of  our  institutions  of  learning  be  ex  officio  mem- 
bers of  the  local  official  bodies  which  govern  the  said  insti- 
tutions. 

7.  We  direct  that  the  endowment  funds  of  our  institu- 
tions of  learning  be  kept  sacred  for  the  purposes  for  which 
they    were   given,    and    not    dissipated    and    jeopardized    by 


132  DISCIPLINE 

loans  to  the  contingent  fund  of  the  institution  and  spent 
for  current  expenses,  and  we  recommend  that  these  funds 
of  our  institutions  be  not  loaned  to  the  members  of  the 
board,  or  officers  or  teachers  of  the  institution,  or  others 
who  are  personally  interested  in  the  care  and  safe-keeping 
of  these  funds. 

8.  We  cordially  endorse  and  approve  the  best  method  of 
industrial  education  as  applied  in  those  institutions  where 
mechanical  and  other  equipment  is  provided  for  this  pur- 
pose, and  recommend  that  this  practical  training  and  self- 
help  be  secured  for  those  who  desire  it,  as  soon  as  prac- 
ticable. 

College  Extension  Courses. 

9.  In  view  of  the  fact  that  many  of  our  ministers  and 
laymen  who  find  it  impossible  to  go  away  to  school,  would 
be  glad  to  pursue  a  course  of  study,  and  in  view  of  the 
university  and  college  extension  movement  now  organized 
in  most  of  the  schools  of  higher  education  in  our  land,  we 
recommend :        ^ 

(1)  That  all  our  colleges  offer  such  non-resident  courses 
of  study  as  they  may  be  able  to  teach,  for  the  aid  and  en- 
couragement of  the  above-named  class  of  students. 

(2)  That  these  students  be  examined  thoroughly  on 
their  courses  of  study,  and  that  suitable  diplomas  be  award- 
ed those  who  complete  their  work  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  respective  colleges. 

Section  IV. 

UNION  BIBLICAL   SEMINARY. 

1.  This  institution  of  sacred  learning,  located  at  Day- 
ton, Ohio,  is  maintained  by  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ 
for  the  purpose  of  educating  persons  called  of  God  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  and  the  spread  of  the  gospel  of  Christ 
among  men.  It  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  General 
Conference  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  by  which  its 
board  of  directors  shall  be  elected  at  each  quadrennial 
session. 

Officers. 

2.  The  officers  of  the  Seminary  shall  consist  of  a  busi- 
ness manager  and  a  board  of  directors,  who  shall  be  elected 
by  the  General  Conference.  The  board  of  directors  shall  be 
composed   of  not  less  than   nine   members,   and   may   have 


EDUCATION  133 

three  additional  members  at  large,  to  be  elected  by  the 
board  of  directors,  at  their  option,  for  a  term  not  extend- 
ing beyond  that  of  the  ensuing  General  Conference,  and  the 
bishops  of  the  Church,  who  shall  be  considered  ex  officio 
members ;  provided,  always,  that  a  majority  of  the  direc- 
tors shall  be  hona  iide  residents  of  the  State  of  Ohio, 

Duties  of  Directors. 

3.  The  board  of  directors  shall  meet  on  the  call  of  the 
senior  bishop  immediately  after  their  election,  and  organize 
by  electing  a  president  and  secretary.  They  shall  meet  an- 
nually in  the  Seminary  building  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  elect  the 
necessary  faculty,  review  the  work  of  the  business  mana- 
ger and  the  faculty,  determine  the  salaries  of  the  faculty, 
and  adopt  measures  for  the  advancement  of  the  interests  of 
the  institution. 

4.  The  board  of  directors  may  fill  any  vacancy  caused 
by  the  resignation,  removal,  or  refusal  to  serve  of  the  busi- 
ness manager  or  trustees. 

5.  The  board  shall  annually  elect  an  executive  committee 
of  five  persons,  who  shall  meet  on  the  call  of  the  business 
manager  or  its  chairman,  and  direct  in  the  execution  of  or- 
ders and  plans  of  the  board  of  directors. 

6.  The  board  of  directors  shall  make  to  the  General  Con- 
ference a  report  of  its  work,  giving  such  facts  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Seminary  as  it  may  deem  of  importance. 


Business    Manager. 

7.  The  business  manager  shall  reside  in  Dayton,  Ohio, 
and  shall  manage  the  assets  under  the  direction  of  the  exe- 
cutive committee,  have  charge  of  all  the  property,  and 
manage  the  business  of  the  institution.  He  shall  solicit, 
and,  with  the  consent  and  approval  of  the  board  of  direc- 
tors, or  executive  committee,  employ  others  to  solicit,  con- 
tributions to  the  Seminary.  In  the  name  of  the  Union 
Biblical  Seminary,  and  under  its  corporate  seal,  the  busi- 
ness manager  shall  execute  all  deeds  of  transfer  and  other 
legal  documents  which  may  be  authorized  by  the  board  of 
directors  of  its  executive  committee.  He  shall  report  to 
the  board  of  directors  annually,  and  to  the  General  Con- 
ference,   an   account   of   all   receipts   and   expenditures,   and 


134  DISCIPLINE 

the    standing    and    efficiency    of    the    institution,    with    any 
other  important  facts  or  recommendations. 

The  Custodian  of  Funds. 

8.  The  General  Church  Treasurer  shall  receive  and  dis- 
burse on  order  the  funds  of  the  Seminary. 

Endowment  and  Other  Funds. 

9.  All  moneys  or  values  of  any  kind  given  to  the  Semi- 
nary as  an  endowment  shall  be  held  sacred  as  a  permanent 
fund  and  securely  invested,  the  interest  only  to  be  used  in 
the  maintenance  of  the  Seminary.  All  other  funds  shall 
be  used  as  the  interests  of  the  Seminary  may  require  or  as 
the  donors  may  direct. 

Annual   Collections. 

10.  The  annual  apportionment  to  the  whole  number  of 
annual  conferences  for  the  benefit  of  the  Seminary  shall 
be  $8,000.  This  amount  shall  be  apportioned  by  the  board 
of  directors  to  the  several  annual  conferences,  and  by  the 
conferences  apportioned  to  the  several  charges,  to  be  col- 
lected by  the  pastors  and  reported  to  their  respective  con- 
ferences ;  and  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  presiding  bishop 
to  see  that  the  full  amount  of  the  assessment  is  properly 
apportioned  to  the  respective  charges.  Ten  per  cent,  of 
the  funds  thus  secured  may  be  used  for  the  support  of  the 
library  in   the   Seminary. 

Obligation  of  Faculty. 

11.  Each  professor  chosen  to  a  chair  in  the  Seminary 
shall,  upon  the  day  of  his  inauguration,  publicly  subscribe 
to  the  following  declaration  of  faith  and  obligation  : 

I  solemnly  declare,  in  the  presence  of  God  and  the  officers 
of  Union  Biblical  Seminary,  that  I  believe  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures, Old  and  New  Testaments,  to  be  the  inspired  Word  of 
God,  and,  with  the  Holy  Spirit,  the  only  perfect  rule  of 
faith  and  practice.  I  believe  the  Confession  of  Faith,  as 
contained  in  the  thirteen  articles  in  our  Book  of  Discipline, 
to  be  a  truthful  consensus  of  the  fundamental  doctrines  of 
the  Bible.  I  believe  that  the  system  of  church  govern- 
ment, as  presented  in  the  Book  of  Discipline  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  is  consistent  with  the  teachings  of  the 


EDUCATION  135 

sacred  Scriptures,  and  I  solemnly  promise  that  I  will  not 
teach  or  insinuate  anything  that  shall  in  any  way  be  in- 
consistent with  the  foregoing  declaration,  or  that  is  not  in 
harmony  with  the  Constitution  and  Confession  of  Faith 
and  the  rules  of  the  Church  as  set  forth  in  the  Discipline  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ.  I  also  promise,  by  divine 
assistance,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  to  sustain  the  doc- 
trines of  the  Holy  Scriptures  as  thus  set  forth  by  the 
Church,  in  opposition  to  all  forms  of  error,  as  long  as  I 
shall  remain  a  professor  in  this  institution. 

[Name] 

Entrance    Examination. 

12.  The  faculty  shall  prepare  examination  papers  for 
candidates  for  admission  to  the  Seminary,  and  arrange  for 
examinations  in  the  respective  conferences  without  expense 
to  candidates. 

Postgraduate  Studies. 

13.  The  faculty  may  arrange  postgraduate  courses  of 
reading  to  cover  one,  two,  and  three  years,  for  the  suc- 
cessful completion  of  which  appropriate  seals  shall  be  placed 
upon  the  diplomas  of  alumni.  The  examination  shall  be  by 
correspondence,  or  otherwise,  as  the  faculty  may  arrange. 


CHAPTER   XXIV. 

Historical  Society. 

Section  I. 

GENERAL    CONFERENCE    APPROVAL. 

1.  The  Historical  Society  of  the  Church  of  the  United 
Brethren  in  Christ,  located  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  having  for  its 
object  the  collecting  and  preserving  of  papers,  records, 
books,  and  other  materials  bearing  upon  the  history  of  the 
Church,  has  the  recognition  of  the  General  Conference. 

2.  Said  society  shall,  through  its  oflBcers,  make  quad- 
rennial reports  to  the  General  Conference. 

Section   II. 

CONSTITUTION. 

Article  I. 

NAME. 

The  name  of  this  society  shall  be.  The  Historical  Society 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

Article  II. 

object. 

Its  object  shall  be,  to  collect  and  preserve  information 
in  connection  with  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  Church  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ ;  also,  objects  of  curiosity 
and  interest,  in  the  form  of  manuscripts,  books,  pamphlets, 
medals,  portraits,  etc. 

Article  III. 

LOCATION. 

The  business  headquarters,  the  museum,  and  library  of 
the  society  shall  be  located  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 


HISTORICAL  SOCIETY  137 

Article  IV. 

MEMBERS. 

Section  1.  Any  person  approved  by  the  board  of  man- 
agers may  become  a  member  upon  the  payment  of  an 
initiatory  fee  of  one  dollar,  and  may  retain  membership  by 
contributing  one  dollar  annually  thereafter.  In  case  of 
failure  to  pay  fees  within  six  months  after  they  are  due, 
membership  shall  be  forfeited. 

Sec.  2.  Any  person  approved  by  the  board  of  managers 
may,  by  the  payment  of  ten  dollars,  become  a  life  member, 
and  shall  be  exempt  from  the  payment  of  the  annual  fee. 

Sec.  3.  The  board  of  mangers  shall  have  pov^er  to  ap- 
point a  corresponding  member  within  each  of  the  annual 
conferences  of  the  Church  ;  but,  at  the  request  of  the  board 
of  managers,  a  corresponding  member  may  be  elected  by  an 
annual  conference.  Other  corresponding  members  may  be 
elected  by  the  board,  at  their  option. 

Sec.  4.  Any  person  considered  worthy  of  the  honor  may, 
by  the  board  of  managers,  be  elected  to  honorary  member- 
ship, without  fees. 

Article  V. 

OFFICERS. 

Section  1.  The  officers  shall  consist  of  a  president,  first, 
second,  and  third  vice-presidents,  secretary,  treasurer,  li- 
brarian, and  a  board  of  managers  consisting  of  these  offi- 
cers and  eight  other  members. 

Sec.  2.  These  officers  shall  be  elected  at  each  regular 
annual  meeting,  and  shall  serve  until  their  successors  have 
been  duly  elected. 

Sec.  3.  The  election  of  officers  shall  be  conducted  by 
ballot,  unless  there  be  but  one  nomination,  in  which  case 
the  election  shall  be  by  acclamation. 

Sec.  4.  In  voting  by  ballot,  no  votes  shall  be  counted 
except  those  cast  by  members  present  at  the  meeting,  for 
persons  nominated,  and  a  majority  of  all  votes  cast  shall 
be  necessary  to  election. 

Sec.  5.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  power  to  fill 
vacancies. 

Article  VI. 

DUTIES    AND   PRIVILEGES    OF   MEMBERS. 

Section   1.     It  shall   be   the  duty  of  members  of  every 


138  DISCIPLINE 

class  to  promote  the  interests  of  the  society  in  every  way 
possible,  by  securing  for  the  society  such  information  and 
such  articles  as  will  be  of  value  in  accomplishing  the  pur- 
pose of  the  organization. 

Sec.  2.  Annual  and  life  members  shall  be  entitled  to 
all  the  privileges  of  the  society,  including  admission  to  the 
museum  and  library.  Corresponding  and  honorary  mem- 
bers shall  be  entitled  to  admission  to  the  museum  and  li- 
brary. 

Article  VII. 

DUTIES    OF    OFFICERS. 

Section  1.  The  duties  of  the  president,  vice-presidents, 
secretary,  and  treasurer  shall  be  such  as  are  usually  per- 
formed by  these  officers. 

Sec.  2.  The  librarian  shall  be  the  custodian  of  the  prop- 
erty of  the  society,  and  shall  manage  it  according  to  the 
rules  adopted  by  the  board  of  managers. 

Sec.  3.  The  board  of  managers  shall  have  charge  of  all 
the  interests  of  the  society  in  the  interim  of  the  annual 
meetings.  They  shall  meet  quarterly.  Special  meetings 
may  be  called  by  the  president.  Five  shall  constitute  a 
quorum. 

Sec.  4.  The  treasurer,  librarian,  and  board  of  man- 
agers shall  render  reports  to  the  society  at  the  annual  meet- 
ing. 

Article  VIII. 

property. 

All  the  property  of  the  society,  except  its  funds,  shall  be 
deposited  in  a  room  or  rooms  provided  for  the  purpose,  and 
shall  be  open  for  the  inspection  of  the  members  of  the  so- 
ciety and  others,  under  such  restrictions  and  regulations  as 
may  be  adopted  by  the  board  of  managers ;  and  in  no  case 
shall  any  article  of  any  kind  be  removed  from  the  museum 
or  depository,  except  by  order  of  the  board  of  managers, 
and  then  only  for  a  limited  time.  The  depository  shall  con- 
tain, under  the  same  restrictions  and  regulations,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  members,  a  library,  to  be  formed  as  rapidly 
as  circumstances  will  permit. 


HISTORICAL   SOCIETY  139 

Article  IX. 

FUNDS. 

Section  1.  All  funds,  after  necessary  expenses  are  paid, 
shall  be  appropriated  to  the  enlargement  and  preservation 
of  the  museum  and  library. 

Sec.  2.  All  bequests  of  money  made  to  the  society  shall 
be  funded  under  the  direction  of  the  board  of  managers,  and 
the  interest  thereof  used  for  ordinary  expenses. 

Article  X. 

MEETINGS. 

The  society  shall  meet  annually  for  the  purpose  of  elect- 
ing officers  and  transacting  other  necessary  business. 
Twenty-five  shall  constitute  a  quorum.  The  time  of  meet- 
ing of  the  society  and  the  board  shall  be  determined  by  the 
board. 

Article  XI. 

AMENDMENTS. 

This  constitution  may  be  amended  at  any  annual  meet- 
ing by  a  two-thirds  vote  of  the  members  present,  provided 
that  the  proposed  amendment  shall  have  been  previously 
approved  by  the  board  of  managers,  and  published  in  the 
Religious  Telescope. 


PART  VII. 

Boundaries. 

chapter  xxv. 

,     Bishops'  Districts.^ 

i.    east  district. 

Allegheny,  Eastern  Pennsylvania,  Erie,  East  Ohio,  On- 
tario, Pennsylvania,  Virginia,  West  Virginia,  Germany, 
West  Africa,  and  Kentucky  mission  district. 

II.      OHIO  DISTRICT. 

Miami,  Sandusky,  Southeast  Ohio,  Indiana,  White 
River,  St.  Joseph,  Michigan,  Ohio  German,  East  Tennessee, 
West  Tennessee,  Chickamauga  and  Louisiana  mission  con- 
ferences. 

III.       CENTRAL    DISTRICT. 

Lower  Wabash,  Upper  Wabash,  Northern  Illinois,  Des 
Moines,  Illinois,  Iowa,  Northeast  Kansas,  Wisconsin,  Min- 
nesota, Missouri,  Neosho,  Arkansas  Valley,  and  Oklahoma. 

IV.       WEST    district. 

Northwest  Kansas,  East  Nebraska,  West  Nebraska, 
Northern  Nebraska,  Colorado,  California,  Columbia  River, 
Oregon,  Japan  Mission  Conference,  and  China  Mission. 

»  By  order  of  the  General  Conference  each  bishop  is  required  to 
reside  within  the  bounds  of  his  own  district. 


140 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 

Annual  Conference  Districts. 

allegheny. 

1.  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Mercer  County, 
Pennsylvania ;  thence  along  the  southern  line  of  Mercer  and 
Venango  counties  to  Clarion  County ;  thence  north  along 
the  eastern  line  of  Venango  County  to  Warren  County ; 
thence  along  the  southern  line  of  Warren,  McKean,  and 
Potter  counties ;  thence  north  along  the  eastern  line  of  Pot- 
ter County  to  the  New  York  State  line ;  thence  along  the 
State  line  between  New  York  and  Pennsylvania  to  the  north 
branch  of  the  Susquehanna  River ;  thence  along  the  west 
line  of  the  Eastern  Pennsylvania  and  Pennsylvania  confer- 
ences to  the  State  of  Maryland  ;  thence  along  the  south  line 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the 
State ;  thence  along  the  State  line  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

ARKANSAS   VALLEY. 

2.  Beginning  at  the  northwest  corner  of  the  Neosho 
Conference ;  thence  west  to  the  Colorado  State  line ;  thence 
south  to  the  south  line  of  the  State  of  Kansas ;  thence  east 
along  the  Kansas  State  line  to  the  west  line  of  Neosho  Con- 
ference ;  thence  north  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

CALIFORNIA. 

3.  Embraces  the  State  of  California. 

COLORADO. 

4.  Includes  the  States  of  Colorado,  Wyoming,  and  Utah. 

COLUMBIA   RIVER. 

5.  Beginning  on  the  northern  boundai*y  of  the  State  of 
Washington  ;  thence  south  along  the  Cascade  Mountains  to 
the  Columbia  River ;  thence  up  the  Columbia  River  to  the 
mouth  of  the  John  Day  River ;  thencf  south  along  said  river 
to  its  source ;  thence  east  to  the  Oregon  line,  including  all 

141 


142  DISCIPLINE 

the  territory  in  Washington  and  Oregon  east  of  the  line  above 
given,  and  also  the  State  of  Idaho. 

DES    MOINES. 

6.  Embraces  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Iowa  west  of 
the  Iowa  Conference  line. 

EAST   NEBRASKA. 

7.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Douglass  County, 
Nebraska ;  thence  west  to  the  Platte  River ;  thence  along 
said  river  to  the  West  Nebraska  Conference  line ;  thence 
south  on  said  line  to  the  southern  boundary  line  of  Ne- 
braska ;  thence  east  to  the  southeast  corner  of  said  State ; 
thence  north  along  the  east  line  of  said  State  to  the  point 
of  beginning.  The  town  of  Chester,  in  Thayer  County, 
Nebraska,  to  belong  to  Northwest  Kansas  Conference.  (Fre- 
mont, on  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad,  to  belong  to  North  Ne- 
braska Conference.) 

EAST    OHIO. 

8.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  State  of 
Ohio ;  thence  south  along  the  State  line  and  the  Ohio  River 
to  Marietta ;  thence  up  the  Muskingum  River  to  a  point  op- 
posite the  northwest  comer  of  Noble  County,  Ohio ;  then  due 
east  to  said  northwest  corner  of  Noble  County ;  thence  north 
along  the  east  line  of  Muskingum  and  Guernsey  counties, 
Ohio  ;  thence  west  along  the  north  line  of  Muskingum  and 
Licking  counties,  Ohio,  to  the  east  line  of  Delaware  County, 
Ohio  ;  thence  west  from  this  point  to  Delaware,  Ohio ;  thence 
north  along  the  eastern  boundary  of  Sandusky  (or  "North- 
west Ohio" )  Conference  to  Sandusky  City,  Ohio ;  thence 
eastward  along  the  northern  boundary  of  the  State  of  Ohio 
to  the  place  of  beginning. 

EAST  TENNESSEE. 

9.  Embraces  all  the  territory  in  Tennessee  lying  east  of 
the  Cumberland  Mountains. 

EASTERN    PENNSYLVANIA. 

10.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  boundary  of  the  State  of 
New  Jersey  on  the  Atlantic  Coast ;  thence  along  the  said 
boundary  line  and  the  Delaware  River  to  the  northern  bound- 


ANNUAL   CONFERENCK   DISTRICTS  143 

ary  of  Pennsylvania ;  thence  westward  along  said  boundary  to 
the  north  branch  of  the  Susquehanna  River ;  thence  along  said 
river  to  the  junction  of  the  north  and  west  branches  of  the 
Susquehanna  River ;  thence  southward  along  the  east  shore 
of  the  Susquehanna  River  and  the  Chesapeake  Bay  to  the 
Atlantic  Ocean  ;  thence  northward  along  the  Atlantic  Coast 
to  the  place  of  beginning.  Said  Conference  shall  be  the  legal 
successor  of  Eastern  Conference  and  East  Pennsylvania 
Conference.  All  rights,  interests,  bequests,  and  obligations 
of  said  conferences  shall  inhere  in  the  said  Eastern  Pennsyl- 
vania Conference. 

ERIE. 

11.  Beginning  on  the  shore  of  Lake  Erie,  at  the  northwest 
corner  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania ;  thence  south  along  the 
State  line  between  Ohio  and  Pennsylvania  to  the  southwest 
corner  of  Mercer  County,  Pennsylvania ;  thence  east  with 
the  line  as  described  in  the  bounding  of  Allegheny  Confer- 
ence to  the  New  York  State  line,  and  including  the  State  of 
New  York  and  all  that  part  of  Pennsylvania  embraced  within 
the  above-described  limits ;  provided,  that  Orangeville  Cir- 
cuit be  included  in  Erie  Conference.  An  enabling  act  is  here- 
by passed  permitting  Erie  and  Ontario  conferences  to  unite 
during  the  next  four  years,  should  both  conferences  agree  to 
such  an  arrangement. 

GERMANY.     - 

12.  Embracing  all  the  territory  occupied  by  our  missions 
in  Germany. 

ILLINOIS. 

13.  Beginning  at  Rapids  City,  Illinois,  on  the  Mississippi 
River ;  thence  south  to  Colona ;  thence  eastward  along  the 
line  of  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island  &  Pacific  Railroad  to  Peru, 
Illinois ;  thence  south  along  the  Illinois  River  to  the  mouth 
of  said  river ;  thence  up  the  Mississippi  River  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

INDIANA. 

14.  Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Franklin  Coun- 
ty, Indiana ;  thence  along  the  line  of  White  River  Confer- 
ence to  Gosport,  Indiana ;  thence  southwest  along  the  line 
of  the  Indianapolis  &  Vincennes  Railroad  to  the  north  line 
of  Congressional  Township  number  nine  (9)  north;  thence 
due  west  along  said  township  line  to  the  northwest  corner  of 
Sullivan  County,  Indiana,  the  Beach  Circuit  to  belong  to  the 


144  DISCIPLINE 

Indiana  Conference ;  thence  down  the  Wabash  River  to  the 
mouth  of  said  river ;  thence  up  the  Ohio  River  to  the  mouth 
of  the  Great  Miami  River ;  thence  along  the  State  line  be- 
tween Ohio  and  Indiana  to  the  place  of  Taeginning. 

IOWA. 

15.  Embraces  all  that  part  of  the  State  of  Iowa  east  of 
the  following  boundary  line :  Beginning  at  northwest  corner 
of  Winnebago  County ;  thence  south  to  the  southwest  corner 
of  Wright  County ;  thence  east  to  the  northwest  comer  of 
Hardin  County  ;  thence  south  along  the  county  line  to  the 
north  line  of  Story  County  ;  thence  east  to  the  northeast  cor- 
ner of  Marshall  County ;  thence  south  to  the  southeast  cor- 
ner of  Jasper  County ;  thence  west  to  the  southwest  corner 
of  Jasper  County ;  thence  south  to  the  Chicago,  Burlington  & 
Quincy  Railroad ;  thence  west  along  said  railroad  to  the 
west  line  of  Lucas  County ;  thence  south  to  the  State  line. 

JAPAN. 

16.  Embraces  the  territory  in  Japan  occupied  by  the 
General  Board  of  Missions. 

LOUISIANA. 

17.  Embraces  the   State  of  Louisiana. 

LOWER    WABASH. 

18.  Beginning  at  Gosport,  Indiana;  thence  along  the 
Monon  Railroad  to  Greencastle ;  thence  with  the  Indian- 
apolis &  Terre  Haute  Railroad,  including  Knightsville  and 
Terre  Haute,  to  the  Wabash  River;  thence  up  said  river  to 
the  mouth  of  Bruletts  Creek ;  thence  up  said  creek  to  Cheri-y 
Point;  thence  west  on  the  Indianapolis,  Decatur  &  Spring- 
field Railroad  to  and  including  Tuscola;  thence  north  by 
the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  to  Tolona;  thence  with  the 
described  boundary  of  the  Northern  Illinois  Conference  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Illinois  River ;  thence  down  the  Mississippi 
River  to  Cairo,  Illinois;  thence  up  the  Ohio  River  to  the 
mouth  of  the  Wabash  River;  thence  up  said  river  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  Sullivan  County,  Indiana;  thence  east- 
ward along  the  boundary  line  of  the  Indiana  Conference  to 
Gosport,  Indiana,  the  place  of  beginning. 

MIAMI. 

19.  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Great  Miami  River; 
thence  north   along   the  western   boundary   of   the   State   of 


ANNUAL   CONFERENCE   DISTRICTS  145 

Ohio,  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Darke  County,  Ohio ;  thence 
eastward  along  the  Sandusky  ("Northwest  Ohio")  Confer- 
ence line  to  Sidney,  Ohio ;  thence  to  the  east  line  of  Cham- 
paign County,  Ohio ;  thence  southwest  along  the  east  line  of 
the  counties  of  Champaign,  Clarke,  and  Greene  to  the  north 
line  of  Clinton  County  ;  thence  west  on  the  north  line  of  Clin- 
ton County  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Warren  County  ;  thence 
south  on  the  east  line  of  Warren  County  to  the  north  line  of 
Clermont  County ;  thence  west  on  the  north  line  of  Clermont 
County  to  the  east  line  of  Hamilton  County ;  thence  south  on 
the  east  line  of  Hamilton  County  to  the  Ohio  River ;  thence 
down  the  Ohio  River  to  the  place  of  beginning ;  provided, 
that  the  cities  of  Newport  and  Covington,  in  the  State 
of  Kentucky,  and  the  Rockdale  Church,  in  the  State  of 
Indiana,  shall  belong  to  the  Miami  Conference. 

MICHIGAN. 

20.  The  Michigan  Conference  embraces  all  of  the  State 
of  Michigan. 

MINNESOTA. 

21.  Embraces  all  of  the  State  of  Minnesota;  also, 
Faulk,  Spink,  Deuel,  Grant,  and  Coddington  counties,  in 
South  Dakota. 

MISSOURI. 

22.  The  Missouri  Conference  embraces  the  State  of  Mis- 
souri. 

NEOSHO. 

23.  Beginning  at  the  southwest  corner  of  Chautauqua 
County,  Kansas ;  thence  north  to  the  south  line  of  North- 
east Kansas  Conference ;  thence  due  east  to  the  State  line ; 
thence  to  the  southeast  corner  of  Indian  Territory  ;  thence 
west  on  the  Territory  line  to  the  town  of  Colbert,  on  the 
Red  River ;  thence  north  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

NEW    SOUTH. 

24.  Embraces  territory  in  the  States  of  Georgia,  Florida, 
Alabama,  and  Mississippi.  An  enabling  act  is  hereby  passed 
permitting  the  organization  of  an  annual  conference  within 
the  States  of  Georgia,  Florida,  Alabama,  and  Mississippi 
during  the  quadrennium. 

NORTHEAST   KANSAS. 

25.  Beginning  at  the  center  of  the  north  line  of  Wash- 

10 


146  DISCIPLINE 

ington  Count3%  Kansas ;  thence  due  south  to  the  Republican 
River ;  thence  down  said  river  to  its  mouth ;  thence  south 
to  the  north  line  of  Arkansas  Valley  Conference ;  thence 
east  to  the  State  line ;  thence  north  to  the  north  line  of 
the  State ;  thence  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

NORTHERN    ILLINOIS. 

26.  P»eginning  at  Rapids  City,  on  the  Mississippi  River ; 
thence  south  to  Colona  Station,  on  the  Chicago,  Rock  Island 
&  Pacific  Railroad ;  thence  east  along  the  line  of  said  rail- 
road to  the  Illinois  River ;  thence  down  the  Illinois  River 
to  its  mouth ;  thence  east  to  Vandalia ;  thence  up  the  Okaw 
River  to  Shelbyville ;  thence  along  the  line  of  the  Chicago 
&  Illinois  Railroad  to  Sullivan ;  thence  north  along  the 
Wabash  Railroad  to  Bement ;  thence  east  along  the  Wa- 
bash Railroad  to  Tolona ;  thence  north  along  the  Illinois 
Central  Railroad  to  Kankakee ;  thence  east  to  the  Illinois 
State  line;  thence  north  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Illi- 
nois ;  thence  west  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Illinois ;  thence 
south  along  the  Illinois  State  line  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. All  rights,  interests,  bequests,  and  obligations  of  the 
Central  Illinois  and  Rock  River  conferences  to  inhere  in 
said  Northern   Illinois   Conference. 

NORTH   NEBRASKA. 

27.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  Douglass  County, 
Nebraska ;  thence  north  along  the  Iowa  and  south  Dakota 
State  lines  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Moody  County,  South 
Dakota ;  thence  west  to  the  west  line  of  South  Dakota ; 
thence  south  to  the  north  line  of  town  twenty-four  in  Ne- 
braska ;  thence  east  on  said  line  to  the  source  of  Cedar  River ; 
thence  down  said  river  to  Fullerton ;  thence  south  to  the 
Platte  River;  thence  east  along  the  Platte  River  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  Douglass  County,  Nebraska ;  thence  east 
along  the  north  boundary  line  of  said  county  to  the  place  of 
beginning. 

NORTHWEST   KANSAS. 

28.  Beginning  on  the  northern  boundary  of  Kansas  at 
the  center  of  Washington  County ;  thence  south  to  the 
Republican  River ;  thence  down  said  river  to  its  mouth ; 
thence  due  south  to  the  north  line  of  Arkansas  Valley  Con- 


ANNUAL   CONFERENCE   DISTRICTS  147 

ference ;  thence  west  to  the  Colorado  line ;  thence  north  to 
the  Nebraska  line ;  thence  east  to  the  place  of  beginning. 
That  Chester,  in  Thayer  County,  Nebraska,  belong  to  North- 
west Kansas  Conference. 

OHIO   GERMAN. 

29.  Embraces  the  States  of  Ohio,  Kentucky,  Indiana, 
and  Illinois.  Permission  is  also  granted  to  go  into  any  of 
the  western  States  or  Territories,  where  doors  of  usefulness 
may  be  open  to  labor  among  the  German  population. 

OKLAHOMA. 

30.  The  Oklahoma  Conference  shall  embrace  all  the 
Territory  of  Oklahoma,  and  that  part  of  the  Indian  Terri- 
tory lying  between  Oklahoma  and  the  State  of  Texas. 

ONTARIO. 

31.  Embraces  all  the  Province  of  Ontario,  in  the  Do- 
minion of  Canada. 

OREGON. 

32.  Embraces  in  its  territory  all  the  States  of  Ore- 
gon and  Washington  not  occupied  by  the  Columbia  River 
Conference. 

PENNSYLVANIA. 

33.  Beginning  at  the  mouth  of  the  Juniata  River ;  thence 
along  said  river  westward  to  Newport,  Pennsylvania ;  thence 
along  the  Shireman's  Valley  Railroad  to  Loysville ;  thence 
southward  to  a  spur  of  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains,  extending 
northward  into  Perry  County,  Pennsylvania ;  thence  south- 
ward along  the  crest  of  said  mountain,  forming  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  Cumberland  Valley  to  the  State  of  Mary- 
land ;  thence  westward  along  the  Pennsylvania  and  Mary- 
land State  lines  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Washington  Coun- 
ty, Maryland ;  thence  southward  along  the  western  boundary 
of  said  county  to  the  Potomac  River ;  thence  along  said  river 
to  the  Chesapeake  Bay ;  thence  eastward  along  the  coast  to 
the  mouth  of  the  Susquehanna  River ;  thence  northward  along 
said  river  to  the  place  of  beginning.  Said  conference  shall  be 
the  legal  successor  of  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland  confer- 
ences. All  rights,  interests,  bequests,  and  obligations  be- 
longing to  said  conference  shall  inhere  in  the  said  Pennsyl- 
vania Conference. 


148  DISCIPLINK 


SANDUSKY. 


34,  Beginning  at  Sandusky,  Ohio ;  thence  south  along  the 
Baltimore  &  Ohio  Railroad  to  Shelby  Junction ;  thence 
south  and  west  along  the  Big  Four  Railroad  to  Delaware 
and  Marysville,  Ohio ;  thence  west  along  the  south  line  of 
Logan  County  to  Sidney,  Ohio ;  thence  west  on  a  straight 
line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  Darke  County,  Ohio  ;  thence 
west  to  the  west  line  of  the  State  of  Ohio ;  thence  north 
along  the  State  line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  the  State 
line  of  Ohio ;  thence  east  to  Sandusky,  Ohio,  the  place  of  be- 
ginning. Sidney,  Gallon,  Shelby,  and  Chicago,  Ohio,  to  be- 
long to  the  Sandusky  Conference.  The  Sandusky  Confer- 
ence to  become  and  to  be  the  true  and  legal  successor  of 
Auglaize  anu  North  Ohio  conferences,^  and  all  proportionate 
property  rights,  interests,  and  legacies  vested  in  the  said 
Auglaize,  North  Ohio,  and  Central  Ohio  conferences,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  membership  of  said  conferences  in  its  bounds, 
shall  inhere  in  the  said  Sandusky  Conference.  An  enabling 
act  is  hereby  passed  permitting  Sandusky  Conference  at  any 
time  during  the  ensuing  quadrennium,  in  annual  session,  to 
change  its  name  from  that  of  Sandusky  Conference  to  that 
of  "Northwest  Ohio"  Conference. 

SOUTHEAST    OHIO. 

35.  Beginning  at  Delaware,  Ohio ;  thence  along  the 
boundary  line  of  East  Ohio  Conference  in  a  southeasterly 
direction  to  Marietta,  Ohio ;  thence  down  the  Ohio  River 
to  the  east  line  of  Hamilton  County  Ohio ;  thence  to  the 
northwest  corner  of  Clermont  County ;  thence  along  the 
north  line  of  Clermont  County  to  the  east  line  of  Warren 
County,  Ohio ;  thence  northward  on  the  east  line  of  the 
counties  of  Warren,  Greene,  Clarke,  and  Champaign  to  the 
south  line  of  Sandusky  ("Northwest  Ohio")  Conference; 
thence  eastward  along  said  line  to  Delaware,  Ohio,  the  place 
of  beginning.  Said  conference  to  be  the  legal  successor  of 
Scioto  and  Central  Ohio  conferences.  All  rights,  interests, 
and  bequests  of  said  conferences  within  these  bounds  shall 
inhere  in  the  said  Southeast  Ohio  Conference. 

1  The  journals  of  the  said  conferences  to  be  placed  in  the  Church 
Historical  Society  depository  at  the  United  Brethren  Publishing 
House. 


ANNUAL   CONFBRHNCB    DISTRICTS  149 

ST.    JOSEPH. 

36.  Beginning  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the  State  of 
Indiana ;  thence  west  along  the  northern  boundai*y  of  said 
State  to  Michigan  City,  Indiana ;  thence  southward  along 
the  Monon  Railroad  to  Lafaj'ette,  all  towns  along  the  line 
of  said  railroad  to  belong  to  St.  Joseph  Conference,  except 
Battle  Ground  and  Brookston ;  thence  along  the  Lake  Erie 
&  Western  Railroad,  including  the  towns  of  Jefferson  and 
Frankfort,  and  the  Newcomer  Church,  to  Frankfort,  In- 
diana ;  thence  along  the  Clover  Leaf  Railroad  to  Kokomo, 
Kokomo  to  belong  to  White  River  Conference ;  thence  along 
the  Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad  to  Peru,  Indiana ;  thence 
up  the  Wabash  River  to  the  Ohio  State  line ;  thence  north 
on  said  line  to  the  northeast  corner  of  the  State  of  Indiana, 
the  place  of  beginning. 

WEST    TENNESSEE. 

37.  Embraces  all  the  territory  of  the  State  of  Tennes- 
see lying  west  of  the  Cumberland  Mountains. 

UPPER    WABASH. 

38.  Beginning  at  Lafayette,  Indiana ;  thence  by  way 
of  the  Monon  Railroad  to  Michigan  City,  including  the 
towns  of  Battle  Ground  and  Brookston,  and  Lowell's 
Chapel ;  thence  west  to  the  Indiana  and  Illinois  State  line ; 
thence  south  on  said  State  line  to  a  point  east  of  Kanka- 
kee, Illinois ;  thence  west  to  Kankakee ;  thence  south  along 
the  Chicago  branch  of  the  Illinois  Central  Railroad  to  Tus- 
cola, including  Tolona ;  thence  south  and  east  with  the  line 
of  the  Lower  Wabash  Conference  to  Gosport ;  thence  north- 
east along  the  line  of  the  Indianapolis  &  Vincennes  Rail- 
road to  the  west  line  of  Marion  County,  Indiana ;  thence 
along  the  west  and  the  north  lines  of  Marion  County  to  the 
Monon  Railroad ;  thence  along  the  Monon  Railroad  in  a 
northwest  direction  to  Frankfort,  Indiana ;  thence  along  the 
Lake  Erie  &  Western  Railroad  to  Lafayette,  the  place  of 
beginning. 

VIRGINIA. 

39.  That  the  Virginia  Conference  embraces  the  State  of 
Virginia ;  also,  that  part  of  West  Virginia  lying  east  of  the 
west  boundary  lines  of  the  counties  of  Grant  and  Pendleton 


150  DISCIPLINE 

of  said  State;  also,  Allegheny  County,  Maryland,  and  that 
part  of  Garrett  County,  Maryland,  lying  east  of  the  bounda- 
ry of  West  Virginia  Conference.  (The  Swanton  and  Beth- 
lehem churches  to  belong  to  West  Virginia  Conference.) 

WEST    AFRICA. 

40.  Embraces  all  the  territory  occupied  by  our  missions 
on  the  West  Coast  of  Africa. 

WEST    NEBRASKA. 

41.  Beginning  at  the  northwest  corner  of  Hamilton 
County ;  thence  south  to  the  Thayer  County  line ; 
thence  east  six  miles ;  thence  south  to  the  Nebraska 
State  line;  thence  west  to  the  southwest  corner  of  the  State 
of  Nebraska ;  thence  north  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Per- 
kins County,  Nebraska ;  thence  west  to  the  west  Nebraska 
State  line ;  thence  north  to  the  line  of  the  North  Nebraska 
Conference ;  thence  east  and  south  along  the  boundary  of 
said  conference  to  the  place  of  beginning. 

WEST    VIRGINIA. 

42.  Beginning  with  the  summit  of  the  Allegheny  Moun- 
tains at  the  line  between  Pennsylvania  and  Maryland ; 
thence  along  the  summit  of  said  mountains  southwest  to 
the  Grant  County  line ;  thence  along  the  west  line  of  said 
county  to  Pendleton  County ;  thence  along  the  west  line  of 
said  county  to  the  Virginia  State  line ;  thence  along  the 
State  line  to  the  Kentucky  State  line ;  thence  north  to  the 
Ohio  River ;  thence  with  said  river  to  the  Pennsylvania 
State  line ;  thence  east  on  said  line  to  the  place  of  begin- 
ning. 

WHITE   RIVER. 

43.  Beginning  at  the  southeast  corner  of  Franklin  Coun- 
ty, Indiana ;  thence  west  along  the  southern  boundary  of 
Franklin  County  to  the  southwest  corner  of  said  county ; 
thence  westward  along  the  Big  Four  Railroad  by  way  of 
Greensburg  to  Columbus,  the  Columbus  charge  to  belong  to 
White  River  Conference ;  thence  westward  by  way  of  Nash- 
ville to  Bloomington,  Indiana ;  thence  along  the  Monon 
Railroad  to  Gosport,  Indiana ;  thence  along  the  Indianapolis 
&  Vincennes  Railroad  in  a  northeasterly  direction  to  the  west 
line  of  Marion  County,  Indiana ;  thence  north  along  the  west 


ANNUAL   CONFERENCE   DISTRICTS  151 

line  to  the  northwest  corner  of  Marion  County ;  thence  east 
along  the  north  line  of  said  county  to  the  Monon  Rail- 
road ;  thence  along  the  Monon  Railroad  to  Frankfort,  Indi- 
ana ;  thence  along  the  St.  Joseph  Conference  line  by  way 
of  Kokomo  to  Peru ;  thence  up  the  Wabash  River  to  the 
Ohio  State  line ;  thence  south  to  the  southeast  corner  of 
Franklin  County,  Indiana,  the  place  of  beginning.  The 
Kokomo  and  Geneva  charges  to  belong  to  the  White  River 
Conference. 

WISCONSIN. 

44.     Embraces  all  the  State  of  Wisconsin. 

MISSION   DISTRICTS. 

Chickamauga. 

(1)  Embraces  the  State  of  Tennessee  and  the  country 
south,  wherever  churches  are  organized  among  the  colored 
people. 

Kentucky. 

(2)  Embraces  all  of  the  State  of  Kentucky,  except  Cov- 
ington and  Newport,  which  belong  to  Miami  Conference. 
An  enabling  act  is  hereby  passed  to  permit  Kentucky  Dis- 
trict during  the  quadrennium  to  become  an  annual  confer- 
ence. 

China. 

(3)  Embraces  the  territory  occupied  in  China  by  the 
Woman's  Missionary  Association. 


PART  VIII. 

Formulas  and  Forms. 

chapter  xxvii. 

Formulas. 
Section  I. 

RECEPTION     OF     MEMBERS.^ 

When  at  any  meeting  there  are  persons  who  desire  to  unite 

with   the    Church,    the   officiating   minister   shall   call   the 

applicants  forward  and  address  them  as  follows: 

Dear  Friends  :   Inasmuch  as  you  present  yourselves  for 

admission  into  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 

we  rejoice  with  you  that  through  the  grace  of  God  you  have 

been  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,   and  have  been 

made  partakers  of  his  great  salvation.     The  privileges  you 

seek   are  above  price,   and   the  duties  enjoined  are   solemn. 

It  is  proper  that  you  publicly  confess  your  faith  and  avow 

your  purpose  by  answering  the  following  questions : 

Questions  to  applicants: 

(1)  Do  you  believe  the  Bible  to  be  the  word  of  God,  and 
that  therein  only  is  contained  the  knowledge  of  the  way  of 
salvation? 

(2)  Have  you  experienced  the  pardon  of  your  sins,  and 
have  you  now  peace  with  God? 

(3)  Are  you  determined  by  the  grace  of  God  to  follow 
Christ,  renouncing  the  world  and  all  ungodliness,  seeking  to 
lead  a  life  of  holiness  and  devotion  to  God  and  his  cause? 

(4)  Are  you  willing  to  be  governed  by  our  Church  Dis- 
cipline, and  will  you  contribute  to  the  support  of  the  gospel 
as  God  prospers  you? 

(5)  Have  you  been  baptized? 

» See  p.  19.  152 


FORMULAS  153 

If  the  answer  to  this  question  be  in  the  negative,  then  the 
applicant  shall  ie  instructed  to  attend  to  the  duty  as  soon 
as  practicable. 

Then  the  members  of  the  church  icill  stand,  and  the  minister 
may  read  this  response  of  the  church: 

"We,  the  members  of  this  church,  do  cordially  receive  you 
into  our  communion  and  fellowship,  and  promise  to  walk 
with  you  in  love,  and  to  watch  over  you,  instruct,  counsel, 
admonish,  and  cherish  you  with  all  long-suffering,  gentleness, 
and  love.  Dear  friends,  do  you  all  thus  covenant  before  the 
Lord?    If  so,  answer,  'We  do.'  " 


Section  II. 

THE    BAPTISM    OF    ADULTS. 

Our  Lord  commanded  his  apostles,  saying,  "Go  ye  there- 
fore and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of 
the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost"  (Matt. 
28:  19).  On  the  day  of  Pentecost,  the  multitude,  under 
the  preaching  of  the  word,  "were  pricked  in  the  heart,  and 
said  unto  Peter  and  to  the  rest  of  the  Apostles,  Men  and 
brethren,  what  shall  we  do?  Then  Peter  said  unto  them. 
Repent,  and  be  baptized  every  one  of  you  in  the  name  of 
Jesus  Christ  for  the  remission  of  sins,  and  ye  shall  receive 
the  gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost"   (Acts  2:  37,  38). 

"Then  they  that  gladly  received  his  word  were  baptized : 
and  the  same  day  there  were  added  unto  them  about  three 
thousand  souls"   (Acts  2:  41). 

Philip,  the  evangelist,  went  down  to  the  city  of  Samaria, 
and  preached  Christ  to  the  people.  And  "when  they  believed 
Philip  preaching  the  things  concerning  the  kingdom  of  God, 
and  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ,  they  were  baptized,  both  men 
and  women"   (Acts  8:  12). 

Dearly  beloved,  it  has  pleased  God,  in  his  infinite  mercy, 
to  awaken  you  to  a  sense  of  your  guilt  and  danger,  and  to 
lead  you,  as  we  humbly  trust,  to  repentance  and  faith  in  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ.  By  presenting  yourself  for  this  holy 
sacrament,  you  declare  your  purpose  to  lead  a  new  life,  and 
to  seek  an  inheritance  with  the  righteous  in  the  "house  not 
made  with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens." 

Do  you  then  solemnly  consecrate  yourself  to  Christ  and 
his  service ;  and  will  you  endeavor  henceforth  to  keep  God's 


154  DISCIPLINE 

holy  commandments  and  to  walk  in  the  same  all  the  days 
of  your  life?  if  so,  answer,  "I  will  endeavor  so  to  do,  the 
Lord  being  my  helper." 

The  minister  shall  then  baptize  the  candidate,  the  service  to 
he  concluded  with  a  short  prayer  and  benediction. 


Section  III. 

THE    BAPTISM    OF    CHILDREN. 

"And  they  brought  young  children  to  him,  that  he  should 
touch  them :  and  his  disciples  rebuked  those  that  brought 
them.  But  when  Jesus  saw  it,  he  was  much  displeased, 
and  said  unto  them.  Suffer  the  little  children  to  come  unto 
me,  and  forbid  them  not :  for  of  such  is  the  kingdom  of 
God.  Verily  I  say  unto  you,  Whosoever  shall  not  receive 
the  kingdom  of  God  as  a  little  child,  he  shall  not  enter 
therein.  And  he  took  them  up  in  his  arms,  put  his  hands 
upon  them,  and  blessed  them"    (Mark  10:  13-16). 

In  presenting  this  child  for  baptism,  you  not  only  signify 
your  faith  in  the  Christian  religion,  of  which  baptism  is 
an  ordinance,  but  also  your  desire  that  he  [or  she]  may 
early  know  and  follow  the  will  of  God,  may  live  and  die 
a  Christian,  and  attain  unto  everlasting  life. 

In  order  to  do  this,  it  will  be  yonr  duty  as  parents  [or 
guardians]  to  teach  him  [or  her]  early  the  fear  of  the 
Lord;  to  watch  over  his  [or  her]  education,  that  he  [or 
she]  be  not  led  astray  ;  to  direct'  his  [or  her]  youthful  mind 
to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  his  [or  her]  feet  to  the  sanctu- 
ary ;  to  restrain  him  [or  her]  from  evil  associates  and 
habits ;  and  as  much  as  in  you  lies,  to  bring  him  [or  her] 
up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord. 

Will  you  endeavor  so  to  do,  by  the  help  of  God?  If  so, 
answer,  "I  will." 

The  minister  shall  then  baptize  the  child,  repeating  the  full 
name  of  the  same,  saying: 

I  baptize  thee  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son, 
and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

All  to  be  followed  by  a  short  prayer  by  the  minister. 


FOBMULAS  155 

Section  IV. 

THE  HOLY  COMMUNION. 

"He  is  despised  and  rejected  of  men ;  a  man  of  sorrows, 
and  acquainted  with  grief :  and  we  hid  as  it  were  our  faces 
from  him  ;  he  was  despised,  and  we  esteemed  him  not.  Sure- 
ly he  hath  born  our  griefs,  and  carried  our  sorrows :  yet 
we  did  esteem  him  stricken,  smitten  of  God,  and  afflicted. 
But  he  was  wounded  for  our  transgressions,  he  was  bruised 
for  our  iniquities :  the  chastisement  of  our  peace  was  upon 
him ;  and  with  his  stripes  we  are  healed"  (Isa.  53  :  3-5). 

"And  when  the  hour  was  come,  he  sat  down  and  the  twelve 
apostles  with  him.  And  he  said  unto  them,  With  desire 
I  have  desired  to  eat  this  passover  with  you  before  I  suffer : 
for  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  not  any  more  eat  thereof,  until  it 
be  fulfilled  in  the  kingdom  of  God.  And  he  took  the  cup, 
and  gave  thanks,  and  said,  Take  this,  and  divide  it  among 
yourselves  :  for  I  say  unto  you,  I  will  not  drink  of  the  fruit 
of  the  vine,  until  the  kingdom  of  God  shall  come.  And  he 
took  bread,  and  gave  thanks,  and  brake  it,  and  gave  unto 
them,  saying,  This  is  my  body  which  is  given  for  you  :  this 
do  in  remembrance  of  me.  Likewise  also  the  cup  after  sup- 
per, saying.  This  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my  blood, 
which  is  shed  for  you"    (Luke  22:  14-20). 

"For  I  have  received  of  the  Lord  that  which  also  I  de- 
livered unto  you,  that  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  same  night  in 
which  he  was  betrayed  took  bread :  and  when  he  had  given 
thanks,  he  brake  it,  and  said.  Take,  eat :  this  is  my  body, 
which  is  broken  for  you :  this  do  in  remembrance  of  me. 
After  the  same  manner  also  he  took  the  cup,  when  he  had 
supped,  saying.  This  cup  is  the  new  testament  in  my 
blood :  this  do  ye,  as  oft  as  ye  drink  it,  in  remembrance  of 
me.  For  as  often  as  ye  eat  this  bread,  and  drink  this  cup, 
ye  do  shew  the  Lord's  death  till  he  come"  (I.  Cor.  11: 
23-26). 

As  many  of  you  as  truly  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  are 
now  invited  to  draw  near,  and  humbly  receive  these  elements 
in  memory  of  the  suffering  and  death  of  your  Lord  and  Sav- 
iour. 

Singing. 

Prayer. 

Administration  of  the  elements. 


156  DISCIPLINE 

Section  V. 
Ordination  of  Elders. 

[On  the  day  appointed  for  ordination  services  a  suitable  sermon 
sliall  be  preached,  whenever  practicable.  The  officiating  bishop 
(or  elder  in  the  absence  of  a  bishop)  shall  call,  if  they  be  present, 
one  or  more  elders  to  assist  him  in  the  ceremonies  of  ordination.] 

1.     ADDRESS  TO  THE  CANDIDATES. 

After  the  names  of  the  candidates  have  heen  read  aloud^ 
the  bishop  (or  elder)  shall  address  them  as  follows: 
An  elder  "must  be  blameless,  as  the  steward  of  God ;  not 
selfwilled,  not  soon  angry,  not  given  to  wine,  no  striker, 
not  given  to  filthy  lucre :  but  a  lover  of  hospitality,  a  lover 
of  good  men,  sober,  just,  holy,  temperate ;  holding  fast  the 
faithful  word  as  he  hath  been  taught,  that  he  may  be  able 
by  sound  doctrine  both  to  exhort  and  to  convince  the  gain- 
say ers"   (Tit.  1:  7-9). 

Are  you  assured  that  you  are  inwardly  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost  to  take  upon  you  the  office  of  the  ministry  to 
serve  God  in  the  church  of  Christ  to  the  honor  and  glory  of 
his  holy  name?     If  so,  answer,  "I  trust  I  am." 

Do  you  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures,  Old  and  New  Tes- 
taments?    If  so,  answer,  "I  do  believe  them." 

Will  you  apply  due  diligence  to  frame  and  fashion  your 
life  according  to  the  doctrines  of  Christ,  and  to  make  your- 
self, as  much  as  in  you  lies,  a  wholesome  example  to  the 
flock  of  Christ?  If  so,  answer,  "I  will,  the  Lord  being  my 
helper." 

Will  you  loyally  maintain  the  doctrines  and  polity  of  the 
Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  and  devote  your- 
self with  all  possible  zeal  and  faithfulness  to  the  extension 
of  the  Master's  kingdom  in  whatever  field  you  may  be  as- 
signed from  time  to  time  in  the  ministerial  service?  If  so, 
answer,  "I  will  endeavor,  through  the  grace  of  God,  to  do 
so." 

2.      PRAYER. 

By  the  officiating  hishop. 

3.      CHARGE  TO  THE  CANDIDATES 

After  the  prayer  the  bishop  and  elders  shall  lay  their  hands 

upon   the   heads   of   each  of   them,   and   the   bishop   shall 
say: 

Take    thou    authority    to  execute    the   oflBce    of   an    elder 


FORMULAS  157 

in  the  church  of  God,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of 
the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

Hereupon  the  hishop  or  elder  shall  deliver  to  each  of  them 
the  Holjf  Bible,  saying: 

Take  thou  authority  to  preach  the  word  of  God  and  to  ad- 
minister the  ordinances  in  the  church  of  Christ. 

4.      PRAYER. 

By  the  bishop  or  one  of  the  elders. 

5.     SCRIPTURE   ADMONITION". 

After  the  prayer  the  bishop  shall  read  Luke  12:  35-38. 

"Let  your  loins  be  girded  about,  and  your  lights  burn- 
ing ;  and  ye  yourselves  like  unto  men  that  wait  for  their 
lord,  when  he  will  return  from  the  w^edding ;  that  when  he 
Cometh  and  knocketh,  they  may  open  unto  him  immediately. 
Blessed  are  those  servants  whom  the  lord  when  he  cometh 
shall  find  watching ;  verily  I  say  unto  you,  that  he  shall 
gird  himself,  and  make  them  to  sit  down  to  meat,  and  will 
come  forth  and  serve  them.  And  if  he  shall  come  in  the 
second  watch,  or  come  in  the  third  watch,  and  find  them 
so,  blessed  are  those  servants." 

6.     BENEDICTION. 

The  following  benediction  is  to  be  pronounced: 

The  peace  of  God  keep  your  hearts  and  minds  in  the 
knowledge  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 


Section  VI. 

LAYING    CORNER-STONE. 

The  oificiating  minister  shall  say: 

Beloved  :  In  ancient  time  God  commanded  his  servant 
Moses  to  set  up  the  tabernacle  in  the  wilderness,  and  be- 
stowed his  blessing  upon  Solomon,  the  king,  in  erecting  the 
temple  in  Jerusalem,  whither  the  tribes  came  up  to  worship. 
In  like  manner  he  has  moved  your  hearts  to  erect  a  sanctu- 
ary, where,  in  years  to  come,  his  people  may  assemble  for 


158  DISCIPLINE 

prayer  and  praise.     We  have  met  together  at  this  time  to 
lay  the  corner-stone  with  proper  religious  services. 

The  following  order  of  services  may  then  be  observed: 

1.  Singing. 

2.  Reading  of  Scripture.     (Ps.  132;  I.  Cor.  3:  8-23.) 

3.  Prayer, 
Jf.  Singing. 

5.  Sermon  or  address. 

6.  Collection. 

7.  Laying  of  stone. 

The  minister,  standing  by  the  stone,  shall  exhibit  the  box  to 
be  deposited,  and  read  the  list  of  contents.  Then  the 
minister,  assisted  by  the  builder,  shall  deposit  the  box  and 
adjust  the  stone  to  its  resting-place.  This  done,  the  min- 
ister shall  strike  the  stone  thrice  with  a  trowel,  or  ham- 
mer, and  say: 

In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost,  we  lay  this  comer-stone  in  the  foundation  of 
a  house  to  be  erected  and  dedicated  for  the  worship  of  God, 
wherein  his  word  shall  be  preached  and  his  worship  main- 
tained.    Amen. 

8.  Singing. 

9.  Benediction. 

Sectioin"  VII. 

CHURCH    DEDICATION. 

The  followitig  order  of  service  may  be  used: 

1.  Scripture  reading.     (Ps.  84;  or,  Isa.  62  and  Ps.  122.) 

2.  Singing. 

3.  Prayer. 

4.  Singing. 

5.  Sermon. 

6.  Offering. 

7.  Singing. 

8.  Scripture  reading,  loith  congregation  standing. 

"But  will  God  indeed  dwell  on  the  earth?  behold,  the 
heaven,  and  heaven  of  heavens,  cannot  contain  thee ;  how 
much  less  this  house  that  I  have  builded?  Yet  have  thou 
respect  unto  the  prayer  of  thy  servant,  and  to  his  supplica- 


FORMULAS  159 

tion,  O  Lord  my  God,  to  hearken  unto  the  cry  and  to  the 
prayer  which  thy  servant  prayeth  before  thee  to-day  :  that 
thine  eyes  may  be  open  toward  this  house '  night  and  day, 
even  toward  the  place  of  which  thou  hast  said.  My  name 
shall  be  there :  that  thou  mayest  hearken  unto  the  prayer 
which  thy  servant  shall  make  toward  this  place.  And 
hearken  thou  to  the  supplication  of  thy  servant,  and  of  thy 
people  Israel,  when  they  shall  pray  toward  this  place :  and 
hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling  place :  and  when  thou 
hearest,  forgive. 

"If  any  man  trespass  against  his  neighbour,  and  an  oath 
be  laid  upon  him  to  cause  him  to  swear,  and  the  oath 
come  before  thine  altar  in  this  house :  then  hear  thou  in 
heaven,  and  do,  and  judge  thy  servants,  condemning  the 
wicked,  to  bring  his  way  upon  his  head ;  and  justifying  the 
righteous,  to  give  him  according  to  his  righteousness. 

"When  thy  people  Israel  be  smitten  down  before  the  enemy, 
because  they  have  sinned  against  thee,  and  shall  turn  again 
to  thee,  and  confess  thy  name,  and  pray,  and  make  supplica- 
tion unto  thee  in  this  house :  then  hear  thou  in  heaven  and 
forgive  the  sin  of  thy  people  Israel,  and  bring  them  again 
unto  the  land  which  thou  gavest  unto  their  fathers. 

"When  heaven  is  shut  up,  and  there  is  no  rain,  because 
they  have  sinned  against  thee ;  if  they  pray  toward  this 
place,  and  confess  thy  name,  and  turn  from  their  sin,  when 
thou  afflictest  them :  then  hear  thou  in  heaven,  and  forgive 
the  sin  of  thy  servants,  and  of  thy  people  Israel,  that  thou 
teach  them  the  good  way  wherein  they  should  walk,  and 
give  rain  upon  thy  land,  which  thou  hast  given  to  thy  peo- 
ple for  an  inheritance. 

"If  there  be  in  the  land  famine,  if  there  be  pestilence, 
blasting,  mildew,  locust,  or  if  there  be  caterpiller ;  if  their 
enemy  besiege  them  in  the  land  of  their  cities ;  whatsoever 
plague,  whatsoever  sickness  there  be ;  what  prayer  and  sup- 
plication soever  be  made  by  any  man.  or  by  all  thy  people 
Israel,  which  shall  know  every  man  the  plague  of  his  own 
heart,  and  spread  forth  his  hands  toward  this  house :  then 
hear  thou  in  heaven  thy  dwelling  place,  and  forgive,  and 
do,  and  give  to  every  man  according  to  his  ways,  whose 
heart  thou  knowest;  (for  thou,  even  thou  only,  knowest  the 
hearts  of  all  the  children  of  men;)  that  they  may  fear 
thee  all  the  days  that  they  live  in  the  land  which  thou 
gavest  unto  our  fathers. 


160  DISCIPLINE 

"Moreover,  concerning  a  stranger  that  is  not  of  thy 
people  Israel,  but  cometh  out  of  a  far  country  for  thy 
name's  sake;  (for  they  shall  hear  of  thy  great  name,  and 
of  thy  strong  hand,"  and  of  thy  stretched  out  arm  ; )  when 
he  shall  come  and  pray  toward  this  house ;  hear  thou  in 
heaven  thy  dwelling  place,  and  do  according  to  all  that  the 
stranger  calleth  to  thee  for :  that  all  thy  people  of  the 
earth  may  know  thy  name,  to  fear  thee,  as  do  thy  people 
Israel ;  and  that  they  may  know  that  this  house,  which  I 
have  builded,  is  called  by  thy  name"   (I.  Kings  8:  27-43). 

"We  will  go  into  his  tabernacles  :  we  will  worship  at  his 
footstool"   (Ps.  132:  7). 

"For  the  Lord  hath  chosen  Zion ;  he  hath  desired  it  for 
his  habitation.  This  is  my  rest  for  ever :  here  will  I  dwell ; 
for  I  have  desired  it.  I  will  abundantly  bless  her  provision ; 
I  will  satisfy  her  poor  with  bread.  I  will  also  clothe  her 
priests  with  salvation :  and  her  saints  shall  shout  aloud 
for  joy"   (Ps.  132:  13-16). 

"Now,  my  God,  let,  I  beseech  thee,  thine  eyes  be  open, 
and  let  thine  oars  be  attent  unto  the  prayer  that  is  made 
in  this  place.  Now  therefore  arise,  O  Lord  God,  into  thy 
resting  place,  thou,  and  the  ark  of  thy  strength :  let  thy 
priests,  O  Lord  God,  be  clothed  with  salvation,  and  let  thy 
saints  rejoice  in  goodness"    (II.  Chr.  6:  40,  41). 

"Blessed  be  the  Lord  God  of  Israel  from  everlasting  to 
everlasting :  and  let  all  the  people  say,  Amen.  Praise  ye 
the  Lord"   (Ps.  106:  48). 

9.     Charge  to  the  trustees. 
10.     Delivery  of   the  keys  in   the   name   of   the   Trinity   to 
hold  in  trust  for  God  and  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

11.  Doxology. 

12.  Benediction. 

Section  YIII. 
the  marriage  ceremony. 
The  minister  shall  say: 

We  are  gathered  together  in  the  sight  of  God  and  in  the 
presence  of  these  witnesses,  to  join  together  2V.  and  M.  as 
husband  and  wife.  The  institution  of  marriage  is  coeval 
with  the  family  of  man.  God  saw  that  it  was  not  good  for 
man  to  be  alone  even  in  paradise,  and  formed  and  gave  to 
him  woman,  that  she  might  be  a  "help  meet  for  him."     This 


FORMULAS  161 

union,  like  that  of  the  body  and  soul,  is  only  to  be  severed 
by  the  hand  of  death. 

Here  the  mmister  may  say: 

If  any  person  present  knows  any  just  cause  or  impedi- 
ment why  these  persons  should  not  be  joined  in  marriage, 
let  the  same  now  speak  or  forever  keep  silent. 

No  impediment   being   alleged,   the  minister,   addressing   the 
persons  to  he  married,  shall  further  say: 

Deeming  it  suflScient  to  refer  you  to  the  Holy  Scriptures 
concerning  the  duties  you  will  henceforth  owe  to  each  other, 
I  will  proceed  to  receive  your  mutual  plighted  faith,  and 
seal  your  marriage  vows. 

To  the  man: 

Will  you  have  this  woman  to  be  your  wedded  wife,  to 
live  with  her  after  God's  ordinance;  will  you  love,  honor, 
comfort,  and  cherish  her,  in  sickness  and  in  health,  in  pros- 
perity and  adversity,  and  forsaking  all  others,  keep  yourself 
to  her  only,  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live?  If  so,  answer, 
"I  will." 

To  the  woman: 

Will  you  have  this  man  to  be  your  wedded  husband,  to 
live  with  him  after  God's  ordinance ;  will  you  love,  honor, 
comfort,  and  cherish  him,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in 
prosperity  and  adversity,  and  forsaking  all  others,  keep 
yourself  unto  him  only,  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live?  If 
so,  answer,  "I  will." 

The  minister  shall  then  join  their  right  hands,  and  placing 

his  right  hand  upon  theirs,  shall  say: 

Those  whom  God  hath  joined  together,  let  no  man  put 
asunder.  Inasmuch  as  you  have  consented  together  in 
marriage,  and  have  declared  the  same  ^before  God  and  in 
the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  I  pronounce  you  husband 
and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and 
of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

The  minister  may  then  offer  a  brief  extempore  prayer,  to 

be  followed  by  this  benediction: 

May  God  the  gracious  Father  bless,  presei-ve,  and  keep 
you;   the  Lord,  mercifully,  with  his  favor,  look  upon  you, 

11 


162  DISCIPLINE 

and  fill  you  with  ail  spiritual  blessings  and  grace,  that 
you  may  so  live  together  in  this  life  that  in  the  world  to 
come  you  may  have  everlasting  life.     Amen. 

Section  IX. 

MARRIAGE    CEREMONY    WITH    RING. 

The  minister  shall  say: 

Dearly  beloved,  we  are  here  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  in 
the  presence  of  these  witnesses,  to  unite  together  these  two 
persons  in  holy  marriage.  They  have  passed  satisfactorily 
the  tests  and  requirements  of  the  family,  of  the  state,  and  of 
the  church,  and  now  stand  unchallenged  in  this  presence  to 
be  admitted  into  the  holy  state  commanded  by  the  Word 
of  God,  to  be  had  in  honor  among  all  men. 

It  is  becoming  that  this  marriage  relation  be  entered 
into  discreetly,  reverently,  advisedly,  soberly,  and  in  the 
fear  of  God.  I,  therefore,  a  minister  of  the  blessed  gos- 
pel, entreat  yoa  both  to  seek  the  help  of  God,  in  this  mo- 
ment and  in  all  your  privileges  and  duties,  that  his  love 
and  grace  may  make  your  union  fruitful  of  comfort  and  use- 
fulness, and  a  furtherance  of  your  salvation  and  everlasting 
life. 

To  the  man: 

Do  you  take  this  woman  before  God  and  these  wit- 
nesses to  be  your  wife?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Do  you  promise  to  love  and  honor  her,  defend,  support, 
and  comfort  her,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in  joy  and  in 
sorrow,  in  prosperity  and  adversity?  If  so,  answer,  "1 
do." 

Will  you  be  faithful  to  her  in  all  things,  and  endeavor 
to  be  a  good  husband  to  her  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live? 
If  so,  answer,  "I  will." 

To  the  woman: 

Do  you  take  this  man,  before  God  and  these  witnesses, 
to  be  your  husband?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Do  you  promise  to  love,  honor,  and  comfort  him,  in  joy 
and  in  sorrow,  in  health  and  in  sickness,  in  prosperity  and 
adversity?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Will  you  be  faithful  to  him  in  all  things,  and  endeavor 
to  be  a  good  wife  to  him  so  long  as  you  both  shall  live?  If 
so,  answer,  "I  will." 


FORMULAS  163 

What  token  and  pledge  do  you  offer  that  you  will  faith- 
fully perform  these  covenant  vows? 

The  man  shoivs  the  ring,  holding  it  in  his  right  hand,  and 
answers : 

This  ring. 

The  minister  shall  say  to  the  woman: 

Do  you  accept  this  ring  in  token  of  the  same  covenant 
upon  your  part?     If  so,  answer,  "I  do." 

Then  the  man,  the  minister  guiding  his  right  hand,  shall 
place  the  ring  on  the  third  finger  of  her  left  hand,  and 
the  minister  shall  say: 

Let  us  pray. 

He  may  offer  an  extempore  prayer,  or  use  the  following: 

Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven,  thou  hast  recorded  the 
promises  of  these  thy  servants  now  made  to  each  other. 
We  entreat  thee  to  unite  their  hearts  and  lives  in  the  bond 
of  a  true  and  abiding  affection,  that  they  may  share  all 
the  blessings  of  a  happy  marriage.  May  their  lives  be 
preserved  from  evil,  and  their  love  know  no  doubt,  but 
grow  in  purity  and  sweetness  with  the  number  of  their 
years.  Bestow  upon  them  the  Holy  Spirit  and  true  heav- 
enly wisdom,  that  they  may  be  preserved  from  all  things 
which  have  a  tendency  to  diminish  the  happiness  of  this 
holy  estate.  Enable  them  by  thy  grace  to  live  together  ac- 
cording to  thy  holy  will,  and  may  they  at  last  enter  into 
eternal  life  and  fellowship  with  thy  saints  in  the  kingdom 
of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.     Amen. 

Then  shall  the  minister  request  them  to  join  their  right 
hands;  the  minister,  laying  his  right  hand  upon  theirs, 
shall  say  to  them: 

Inasmuch  as  you  have  covenanted  together  in  these 
sacred  bonds,  and  have  witnessed  the  same  by  this  token, 
I  pronounce  you  husband  and  wife,  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost.     Amen. 

What  therefore  God  hath  joined  together  let  no  man  put 
asunder. 

"The  Lord  bless  thee,  and  keep  thee :  the  Lord  make 
his  face  shine  upon  thee,  and  be  gracious  unto  thee :  the 
Lord  lift  up  his  countenance  upon  thee,  and  give  thee 
peace."     Amen. 


164  DISCIPLINE 

Section  X. 

BURIAL   OF   THE  DEAD. 

After  the  coffin  is  lowered  into  the  grave,  the  minister  shall 
repeat  the  following: 

"Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman  is  of  few  days  and  full 
of  trouble.  He  cometh  forth  like  a  flower,  and  is  cut  down : 
he  fleeth  also  as  a  shadow,  and  continueth  not."  "Lord, 
make  me  to  know  mine  end,  and  the  measure  of  my  days, 
what  it  is ;  that  I  may  know  how  frail  I  am." 

In  the  midst  of  life  we  are  in  death ;  unto  whom  should 
we  seek  for  succor  but  unto  thee,  O  Lord,  who  for  our  sins 
art  justly  displeased?  Our  hope  is  in  thy  Son  Jesus  Christ, 
who  hath  said,  "I  am  the  resurrection  and  the  life :  he  that 
believeth  in  me,  though  he  were  dead,  yet  shall  he  live : 
and  whosoever  liveth  and  believeth  in  me  shall  never  die." 
"For  we  know  that  if  our  earthly  house  of  this  tabernacle 
were  dissolved,  we  have  a  building  of  God,  an  house  not  made 
with  hands,  eternal  in  the  heavens." 

"And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven,  saying  unto  me.  Write, 
Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  hence- 
forth :  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their 
labours ;  and  their  works  do  follow  them." 

"There  shall  be  no  more  death,  neither  sorrow,  nor  cry- 
ing, neither  shall  there  be  any  more  pain :  for  the  former 
things  are  passed  away." 

Inasmuch  as  God  in  his  wise  providence  has  called  out 
of  time  into  eternity  the  soul  of  our  brother  [sister,  or 
child],  we  commit  his  [or  her]  remains  to  the  ground,  earth 
to  earth,  ashes  to  ashes,  dust  to  dust,  in  the  confident  hope 
of  the  general  resurrection  through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
at  his  coming  and  glory ;  that  this  corruptible  body  shall 
be  raised  up  and  be  fashioned  like  unto  the  glorious  body 
of  Christ,  be  reunited  with  the  soul,  and  be  received  into 
everlasting  habitations.     Amen. 

Benediction. 

Section  XI. 

In  case  the  Apostles'  Creed  or  Lord's  Prayer  be  used  in 
any  of  our  services,  the  following  forms  may  be  used : 

The  Lord's  Prayer. 

Our  Father  which  art  in  heaven.  Hallowed  be  thy  name. 
Thy  kingdom  come.     Thy  will  be  done  in  earth,  as  it  is  in 


FORMULAS  165 

heaven.  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread.  And  forgive 
us  our  debts,  as  we  forgive  our  debtors.  And  lead  us  not 
into  temptation,  but  deliver  us  from  evil :  For  thine  is  the 
kingdom,  and  the  power,  and  the  glory,  for  ever.     Amen. 

The  Apostles^   Creed. 

I  believe  in  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  maker  of  heaven 
and  earth ;  and  in  Jesus  Christ,  his  only  Son,  our  Lord ; 
who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost ;  born  of  the  Virgin 
Mary ;  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate ;  was  crucified,  dead, 
and  buried  ;  he  descended  into  hades.  The  third  day  he  arose 
from  the  dead ;  he  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  on  the 
right  hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty ;  from  thence  he 
shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the  dead.  I  believe  in 
the  holy  catholic  church ;  the  communion  of  saints ;  the  for- 
giveness of  sins ;  the  resurrection  of  the  body ;  and  the  life 
everlasting.     Amen. 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Forms. 

Section  I. 

CERTIFICATES    AND    LICENSES. 

1.     Certificate   of  Transfer  of  Member. 

This  is  to  certify  that  A.   B.   is  an  acceptable  member 
of  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  at  


Class,    Charge,    Conference,    and    is    hereby 

transferred    to   Society,    of   Charge,    

Conference. 

Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 

2.     Certificate  of  Membership. 

This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  is  a  member  in  good  stand- 
ing  of   the   Church   of   the   United   Brethren    in   Christ,    at 

,   and   is   hereby   recommended   to   the  confidence  and 

fellowship  of  Christians  everywhere. 

Pastor, 

[Date,  etc.] 

S.     Certificate  of  Withdrawal.  - 

This  is  to  certify  that  A.  B.  has  been  until  this  date  a 
member  in  good  standing  of  the  Church  of  the  United  Breth- 
ren in  Christ,  at  ,  and  at  request  is  granted 

this    letter    of    withdrawal    and    recommendation    from    the 
Church  by  a  vote  of  the  class. 

Pastor. 

[Date,  etc.] 

4.     License   for   Quarterly-Conference   Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  preacher  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 

166 


FORMS  167 

as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  as  held  by   this  Church.     Given  at  a 

quarterly  conference,  held  on  charge,  this  day 

of   in   the   year   of   our    Lord   .      Subject   to 

renewal  annually. 


P.    E. 


[Date,  etc.] 

5.     License  for  Exhorter. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  exhorter  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ,  as  held  by  this  Church.     Given  at  a 

quarterly  conference,  held  on  charge,  this  

day  of  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  .     Subject  to 

renewal  annually. 

P.    E. 

[Date,  etc.] 

6.     Permanent   License   for  Quarterly-Conference   Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that  has  completed   the  course 

of  reading  required,  and  is  hereby  granted  a  permanent 
license  as  a  quarterly-conference  preacher  in  the  Church 
of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 

P.    E. 

[Date,  etc.] 

7.     Annual-Conference    Preacher^s    License. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  preacher  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 
the  gospel  of  Christ.     Given  at  an  annual  conference,  held 

in    ,    this   day    of   in    the   year    of   our 

Lord  .     Signed  in  behalf  of  said  conference. 

Bishop. 

[Date,  etc.] 

8.     Elder's    License. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  preacher  of 

the  gospel  in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 
as  long  as  his  conduct  and  doctrine  are  conformable  with 


168  DISCIPLINE 

the  gospel  of  Christ,  and  has  been  ordained  to  the  office  of 
elder  by  the  laying  on  of  hands. 

Given  at  an  annual  conference  held  in  this  

day  of  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  , 

Signed  and  sealed  in  behalf  of  said  conference. 

Bishop. 

[Date,  etc.] 

9.     Transfer  of  Preacher. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  a  of  the  Church 

of   the   United   Brethren   in   Christ    of  Conference, 

and   is    hereby    transferred    to   Conference    of    said 

Church. 


.Bishop. 


[Date,  etc.] 

10.    Deaconess'    Certificate. 

This  is  to  certify  that  is  an  approved  deaconess 

in  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ. 
Authorized  by   the  quarterly   conference. 

Pres.   Board. 

Sec.  Board. 

Section  II. 

BEQUESTS. 

11.     Home,   Frontier,   and  Foreign  Missionary  Society. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Home,  Frontier,  and  Foreign 
Missionary  Society  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  or- 
ganized by  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church,  May 
20,  1853,  and  incorporated  in  Butler  County,  Ohio,  Sep- 
tember 23,  1854,  the  sum  of  dollars ;  and  the  receipt 

of  the  treasurer  of  the  society  shall  be  a  sufficient  discharge 
thereof  to  my  executors  and  administrators. 

[Name] 

12.     The   Church-Erection   Society. 

1  bequeath  to  the  Church-Erection  Society  of  the  United 

Brethren  in  Christ  the  sum  of dollars,  to  be  invested 

according  to  the  constitution  of  this  society. 

[Name] 


FORMS  169 

13.     Woman^s  Missionary  Asscfciation. 

I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  Woman's  Missionary 
Association  of  the  United  Brethren  in   Christ,   the  sum  of 

dollars,   to  be  applied  to  the  purposes  set  forth   in 

the  Articles  of  Incorporation  adopted  March  28,  1890. 

[Name] 


14.     Church    Trustees. 

I  give,  devise,  and  bequeath  to  the  "Trustees  of  the  Unit- 
ed Brethren  in  Christ,"  an  incorporation  located  at  Dayton, 
Ohio,  for  the  Church  of  the  United  Brethren  in  Christ, 

Dollars, 

to  be  applied  as  follows : 

(Here  state  precisely  the  purpose  for  which  the  bequest  is  made, 
or  say,  "to  be  used  at  the  discretion  of  said  trustees  to  promote 
the  cause  of  Christianity  in  said  Church.") 

[Name] 


15.     Union  Biblical  Seminary. 

I  give  and  bequeath  to  the  Union  Biblical  Seminary  of 
the  United  Brethren  in  Christ,  located  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 
authorized  by  the  General  Conference  of  said  Church  in 
Lebanon,  Pennsylvania,  May  2,  1869,  and  incorporated  ac- 

r-ording   to   the   laws  of   Ohio,   the   sum   of   dollars ; 

and  the  receipt  of  the  business  manager  shall  be  a  sufficient 
discharge  thereof  to  my  executors. 

[Name] 


170 


DISCIPLINE 


Section  III. 

REPORTS. 

16.     Pastor's   Quarterly  Report. 

QUARTERIiY   REPORT, ANNUAL.  CONFERENCE,   UNITED 

BRETHREN  IN  CHRIST. 


District. 

CLASSES  OR  FIELDS  OF  LABOR. 

Circuit. 

Mission. 

Quarter. 

190.. 

a 

S3 

a 
o 

S 

S 

c 

2 

a 

o 

> 

"3 

o 

.hi) 

■A 

o 

H 

Members  received 

Members  lost 

Members  at  present 

Baptisms .   . 

Discourses  preached 

Pastoral  visits 

Class-meetings  held 

Pastor's  salary 

Presiding  Elder's  salary. 

Telescopes 

Woman's  Evangels 

Watchwords           

Search  Lights.            .  . . 

. .  •  • 

Quarte)'ly  Reviews 

Collected  for  missions    .. 

Collected  for 

Collected  for. 

Collected  for 

Pastor. 


[The  blanks  can  be  filled  out  to  sviit  either  pastor  or  presiding 
elder,  as  the  presiding  elder  would  simply  give  the  total  column 
of  each  work.l 

17.     Sahhath- School   Superintendenfs   Report. 


Sahlath  School,    Quarter. 


[Date.] 


Number  of  officers  and  teachers 
Number  of  scholars   enrolled    .  . . 

(a)    General    Department     .... 

(6)    Home    Dpartment     

Average    attendance    

Children's    Friends    

Lessons  for  the  Little  Ones.    .  . . 


FORMS  171 


6.  Quarterlies     

7.  Bible   Teachers    

8.  Amount   of   collections    

9.  Expenses  of  the  quarter   

10.  Contributions    for    missions     

11.  Remarks 

Superintendent. 

18.     Report  of  President  of  Young  People^s  Society. 

Class,    Quarter. 

[Date.] 

1.  Number  of  members  at  beginning  of  quarter  : 

Active    Associate    

2.  Members  received 

3.  Members   lost    

4.  Present   membership    

5.  Number  associate  members  converted   

0.     Number  meetings  held    

7.  Number    Watchicords   taken    

8.  Funds   collected    

9.  For  what  purposes    

10.  Remarks. 

President. 

19.     Glass-Leader^ s   Report. 

Class, Quarter. 

[Date.] 

1.  Number  of  members   

2.  Number  of  meetings  held 

3.  Average  attendance   

4.  Number  of  sick  and  delinquent  members  visited    .... 

Class-Leader. 

20.     Contribution  Card. 

Church [  Date.  ] 

I   hereby  agree   to  pay   to  the  order  of  the  treasurer  of 
Church  the  sum  of weekly,  during  the  year  be- 


ginning   ,  for  pastor's  salary  and  other  church  ex- 
penses. 

[Signed]    


172 


DISCIPLINE 


21.     Class-Steward's  Report. 

Glass,    Quarter. 

[Date.] 

1.  Apportionment  for  year   

2.  Amount  due  at  end  of  quarter 

3.  Amount   paid 

4.  Deficit , 

5.  Surplus    

Steward. 


Annual  Report  of  Treasurer  of  Board  of  Church  or 
Parsonage  Trustees. 


Receipts. 

(1)    By  subscriptions . 

By  donations 

Interest 

Collections 

Rents 


Dols.   Cts. 


(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 


Total  receipts , 


Disbursements. 
(1)    Erection  of 


-Church  at- 


Dols.   Cts. 


(2) 


(3) 


Paid  on  debt- 
la)    Principal 

(6)    Interest 

Paid  for  repairs  . . . . 

For  improvements. 


Total  disbursements 


Indebtedness. 

{i)    Principal  — 

(2)  Interest 

(3)  Bills  unpaid , 


Dols.   Cts. 


Total  indebtedness. 


Number  of  meetings  held. 
Remarks 


.  Treasurer. 


G.  M.  Mathews  and  W.  R.  Funk  were  made  a  committee 
to  edit  the  new  Discipline.  (See  page  420,  General  Con- 
ference Report.) 

It  is  hereby  declared  that  all  laws  and  parts  of  laws  in  the 
United  Breth  en  Discipline  which  are  not  in  harmony  with 
the  acts  of  this  General  Conference  are  hereby  repealed. 
(See  page  612,  General  Conference  Report.) 

It  was  ordered  that  this  new  Discipline  shall  go  into  effect 
on  and  after  the  15th  day  of  August,  1901.  (See  page  478, 
General  Conference  Report.) 


INDEX. 


Absent  voters  for  General  Conference  delegates,  39. 
Absentees  from  annual  conference,  37. 
Academies,   130. 
Agent  of  Printing  Establishment : 

duties  of,   124. 

election   of,   123. 
Aid: 

from  Board  of  Education  to  students,   129. 

from  Church-Erection   Society,  120. 

from  General  Sunday-School   Board,  how  obtained,  89. 
.a-llegheny  Conference,   boundary  of,   141. 
Amenability  of  certified  members,  28. 
Annual  Conference  : 

absentees  from,   37. 

address  and  sermon  at,  55. 

appeals  from,   75,  76. 

appeals  to,  35,  75. 

authority  of,  37. 

bishop  pro  tempore,  36. 

boundaries,   16,    141. 

devotions,  36. 

division  into  fields  of  labor,  61. 

electioneering  forbidden,   37. 

examination   of,    16,    41. 

examination  of  preachers,  36. 

lay  representation  in,  36. 

members  of,  36. 

order  of  business  at,  37. 

presiding  oflicers.   36,   53. 

questions  to  be  asked,  37. 

secretaries,   36. 

sermon  and  address  at,  55. 

Sunday-school   secretary  and  treasurer,   90. 

trial  of  preachers,  56. 
Apostles'   Creed,   165. 
Appeals : 

court  of,  75. 

from  annual  conference,  75,  76. 

173 


174  INDEX 

from  class,  26,  75. 

from   quarterly   conference,   35,   75. 

from   stationing  committee,   (>1. 

right  of,  17,  26. 

to  quarterly   conference,  34. 
Applicants  for  Church   membership  : 

committee  to  examine,  20. 

questions   to,   19. 
Apportionment   to   members,   35. 
Arkansas  Valley  Conference,   boundary  of,   141. 
Authorship  of  doctrinal  publications,   126. 

Baptism  : 

doctrine  of,   13. 

formula,  for  adults,  153. 
for  children,   154. 

upon  admission  into  the  Church,  20. 
Beneficiary  aid  : 

collections  for,   129. 

object,  128. 

recommendations  for,   129. 
Benevolent  and  Educational   Institutions,   103. 
Bequests  : 

forms  of,   168. 

General  Board  of  Church  Trustees,  86. 

Missionary   Society,   107. 

Womans   Missionary  Association,   109. 
Bishops  : 

address  and  sermon,   55. 

announcement    of    representation    in    the    General    Confei- 
ence,  88. 

annual  meeting  of,  54. 

attendance  at  conference,  53,  54. 

connection   with   educational  work,  55. 

districts  of,   140. 

duties  of,   16,  53,   54,   107. 

election  of,  16,  53. 

eligibility  to  office  of,  16. 

organization    of   mission    conferences,    55. 

presiding  at  conferences,  54. 

Pro   tempore,   36. 

reports  of,   55. 

residences  of,  53. 

salaries  of,  53. 

special  sessions  of  conference,  54. 

stationing  preachers,   54. 

supervision  of  foreign  work,  55. 

vacancy  in  office  of,  55. 


INDEX  175 


Board  of  Education,  16,   127. 
Boards  of  Trustees,  42. 
Book  Committee,  125. 
Boundaries,   140. 

annual   conference,   141. 

bishops'   districts,    140. 
'Branch   missionary   societies  : 

constituted,   how,   106. 

contributions  to,  106. 

secretary  and  treasurer  of,   106. 
Branch   society  W.  M.   A.,   constitution  of.   111. 
Building  of  church-houses  and  parsonages,  82. 
Burial  of  the  dead,  formula  for,  164. 

California  Conference,   boundary  of,   141. 
Central   District,   bishops',    140. 
Certificates  : 

of  deaconess,   form  of,   168. 

of   membership,   form   of,   166. 

of  transfer  of  member,  form  of,   166. 

of  transfer  of  preacher,   form  of,   168. 

of  withdrawal,   form  of,   166. 
Chickamauga  Mission  District,   151. 
Children,   home  training  of,  64. 
China  Mission  District,  151. 
Christian    Stewardship    Commission,    102. 
Church  : 

government  of,  29. 

origin  of,  7. 

trustees  of,  86. 
Church  Clerk,  31. 
Church-Erection   Society  : 

application  for   aid,   120. 

apportionment  and  division  of  funds,  119. 

conference   branches,   119. 

constitution  of,   118. 

duty  of  the  ministry,  121. 

insurance  for  security  of,   121. 

loans,   120. 

object  of,   118. 

officers   of,   118. 
duties   of,    118. 

parsonage  fund,  121. 

under  control  of  General  Conference,  16. 
Church-houses  : 

abandoned,   84. 

appointing  trustees,   82. 

building  of,  82. 


176  INDEX 

conditions  of  mortgages  and  liens,  84. 

duties  of  trustees,  82. 

formula  for  dedication  of,   158. 

plans  for,  85. 

real  estate,   85. 

sale  and  rent  of,  83. 

transfer  of,  84. 

vacancies  in  board  of  trustees,   82. 
Church  records,  62. 
Church   Treasurer,   general,   42. 
Circulating  Church  literature,  duty  of,   62. 
Classes : 

disbanding,  29. 

division  of  church   into,  29. 

local   church   organization,   29. 
Classification  of   ministry  : 

classes,   48. 

how   determined,    49. 
Class-leaders  : 

dismissal   of,   30. 

duties  of,  30. 

election  of,  29. 

holding  meetings,   30. 

in  election  of  General  Conference  delegates,  39. 

in  trials,  26. 

qualifications  of,  30. 

records  of,  27,  30. 

report,   form  of,   171. 

visiting  sick  and  delinquent,   30. 
Class-stewards  : 

appointment  of,   30. 

dismissal  of,  31. 

duties   of,    31. 

in  election  of  General  Conference  delegates,  39. 
Collections : 

general,  63. 

missionary,  63. 
College-extension    courses,    132. 
Colleges : 

establishment    of,    129. 

rules  relating  to,  131. 

standard   of   courses  for,    131. 
Colorado  Conference,  boundary  of,   141. 
Columbia  River  Conference,  boundary  of,  141. 
Committees : 

for  examination  of  elders,   50. 

for  trial  of  annual-conference  preachers,  56. 

for  trial   of  quarterly-conference  preachers,   56. 


INDEX  171 


for  trial  of  members,  25. 
Conference  : 

annual,   see  Annual   Conference. 

General,   see    General    Conference. 

quarterly,  see  Quarterly  Conference. 
Confession  of  Faith,   12,   16. 

of  the  Christian   Sabbath,  14. 

of  the  Church,  13. 

of  creation  and  providence,  12. 

of  depravity,   13. 

of  tue  future  state,  14. 

of  God  and  the  Holy  Trinity,  12. 

of  the  Holy  Ghost,  12. 

of  the  Holy   Scriptures,   13. 

of  Jesus   Christ,    12, 

of  justification,  14. 

of  regeneration  and  adoption,  14. 

of  the  sacraments,  13. 

of  sanctification,  14. 
Constitution  of  Church,   15. 
Contests,  40. 

Contribution  card,  formula  for,  171. 
Corner-stone   laying,   formuls    for.    157. 
Courses  of  reading  and  study  : 

for  annual-conference  preachers,  71. 

for   German   preachers,   72. 

for  quarterly-conference  preachers,   45,   69. 

completing   the   course,    74. 

examinations,  69,   70. 

preparation  for  the  ministry,  74. 
Courses  of  study  in  the  colleges : 

extension  courses,   132. 

standard  of,  131. 
Court  of  appeals,   16,  75. 

Deaconesses,  66. 

certificate,    form   of,    168. 

consecration  of,   68. 

course  of  study,   67. 

deaconess  homes.   68. 

in  local  churches,  66. 
Dead,   formula  for  burial  of,   164, 
Dedication  of  churches,  formula  for,  158. 
Delegates  to  the  General  Conference  : 

expenses  of,  41. 

how   elected,   38. 
Des  Moines  Conference,  boundary  of,  142. 

12 


178  INDEX 

Disbanding  classes,   29. 
Discipline  : 

power  to  repeal,   15. 

editors  of,    172. 
Dismissals  : 

of  class-leaders,  30. 

of  class-stewards,  31. 

of   members,    28. 

of   Sunday-school   superintendent,   91. 
Divorce  and  divorced  persons,  rule  regarding,   81. 

East  District,  bishops',  140. 

Eastern  Pennsylvania  Conference,  boundary  of,  142. 

East  Nebraska  Conference,   boundary  of,   142. 

East   Ohio  Conference,   boundary   of,   142. 

East  Tennessee   Conference,   boundary  of,   142. 

Education : 

academies,   130. 

Board  of,   see   Education,   Board  of. 

colleges,  see  Colleges. 

college-extension   courses,   132. 

Union  Biblical  Seminary,  see  Union  Biblical  Seminary. 
Education,    Board   of : 

beneficiary  aid,  128. 

collections  for,    129. 

constitution  of,   127. 

delinquents,    130. 

executive  committee  of,   130. 

general    aim,   128. 

objects   of,    128. 

officers  of,   127. 

publications,   128. 

recommendations  to,   129. 

report  of,  130. 

reports  and   recommendations,   128. 
Educational   institutions,   see  Education. 
Educational   sermon   required,    129. 
Elders  : 

duties  of,   51. 

in  the  General  Conference,   15. 

election  to  orders,   51. 

examining  committee,   duties  of,   50. 

examination  of  candidates  for  orders,   50. 

ordination   of,   50,    54. 
formula  for,   156. 

questions   regarding  candidates,   50. 

special   provisions,   50. 

who  are,  48. 


INDEX  179 

Election  of  General  Conference  delegates  : 

conference   representation,   38. 

publication  of  results,  40. 

returns  of,  40. 
Electioneering  forbidden,  37. 
Erie  Conference,  boundary  of,   143. 
Estimating  committee,  35. 
Evangelists  : 

authorized,   49. 

work  of,  64. 
Examinations  : 

of  annual  conferences,  16,  41. 

of  preachers   regarding   life,    36. 
Exchange  of  pastors   by   presiding  elder,   53. 
Exhorters  : 

duties  of,  43. 

how  licensed,   34,   43. 

renewal   of   license,   43. 

trial  of,  56. 
Expelled  preachers  not  to  be  received,  47. 
Expulsion  : 

of  annual-conference  preachers,   57. 

of  quarterly-conference   preachers,    56. 

Family  piety,  21. 
Fast  days,  54. 
Forms  : 

Apostles'   Creed,    165. 

bequests,  to  Board  of  Church  Trustees,   169. 

to   Church-Erection   Society,   168. 

to   Missionary   Society,   168. 

to  Union  Biblical   Seminary,  169. 

to  Woman's  Missionary  Association,  169. 
certificates  and   licenses,  166. 
certificate   of   membership,    166. 

of   transfer   of   member,    166. 

of  vrithdrawal,  166. 

for   a  deaconess.   168. 
class-leader's   report,    171. 
class-steward's    report,    172. 
contribution  card,  171. 
license,   for   annual-conference  preachers,    167. 

for  elder,    167. 

for  exhorter,   167. 

for  quarterly-conference  preachers,   166. 

for  quarterly-conference  preachers — permanent,   167. 
pastor's  quarterly  report,   170. 
report  of  president  of  young  people's  society,   171. 


180  INDEX 

Sabbath-school   superintendent's   report,    170. 
transfer  of  preachers,  168. 

treasurer's  report  of  Board  of  Church  Trustees,  172. 
Formulas  : 

baptism,  of  adults,   153. 

of  children,   154. 
burial   of   the  dead,    164. 
church  dedication,    158. 
holy   communion,   155. 
laying   of   corner-stone,    157.  ^ 
marriage   ceremony,    160. 

with   ring,   162. 
ordination  of  elders,  156. 
reception  of  members  into  the  Church,   152. 

General  Conference  : 

absent  voters  for  delegates,  39, 

appeals  to,   76. 

bishops'   announcement  of  representation,  38. 

boundaries  of  annual  conferences,  16. 

canvassing  and  publication  of  returns,   40. 

composition   of,   15,   38. 

contests,   40. 

duties  of,   15. 

election  boards,  39. 

election,  of  delegates  to,  15,  38. 
of   officers,    42. 

election    returns,    40. 

entertainment  of,  41. 

examination   of   annual   conferences,  41. 

expenses  of  delegates,   41. 

lists  of  nominees  and  blanks,   39. 

location  of,  41. 

members  of,  15,  38. 

nomination,   of   lay   delegates,   38. 
of   ministerial  delegates,   38. 

number  of  annual  conferences,  16. 

power,  16. 

presiding  officers   of,    16,   54. 

quorum,    15. 

representation   in,    38. 

tellers  to  count  votes  for  delegates,  39. 

time  of  convening,  15. 
General   Church  Treasurer,  42. 
General   steward  : 

how  elected,   34. 

member  of  quarterly   conference,   33. 
German  churches,  transfer  to  English  and  vice  versa,  84. 


INDEX  181 

Germany   Conference,   boundary   of,    143. 
Government  of  the  Church,   29. 

Historical,  Socieiy  : 

constitution,    136. 

General   Conference,   recognition   of,   130. 
■  members  of,  137. 

officers   of,   137,   138. 

property   of,    138. 
History  of  the   Church,   outline  of,   7. 

Home,   Frontier,   and   Foreign   Missionary   Society,   see   Mission- 
ary  Society,   Home,  Frontier,   and   Foreign. 
Home  missions,   107. 
Home   training  of   children,   64. 

Illinois  Conference^  boundary  of,  143. 
Incorporation  of  boards  of  trustees  : 

for  church  houses  and  parsonages,  83. 

for  general  church   property,   85. 
Indiana  Conference,  boundary  of,  143. 
Institutions  for  Christian  Instruction   and   Training,   87. 
Insurance  of  church  property,  83,   121. 
Iowa  Conference,   boundary   of,   144. 
Itinerancy,  17,  60. 
Itinerants,   see  Preachers,   itinerant.  ' 

Japan  Mission  Conference^  144. 

Kentucky  Mission  District,  151. 

Lay  delegates  : 

in  the  annual  conferences,  36. 
in  the  General   Conference,   15,  38. 
Leaders,    class-,   see  Class-leaders. 
License : 

granting  : 

to   annual-conference  preachers,  46. 
to  exhorters,  34,  43. 

to  preachers  by   quarterly  conference,   34,  43. 
to   women,   46. 
permanent   license,   70. 
renewal  of : 
exhorter's,    43. 

quarterly-conference  preacher's,  45. 
Licentiates  : 

probation  of,  50. 
who  they  are,   49. 
Limit  of  certificate  of  members,   28. 


182  INDEX 

Limit  of  transfer  of  preachers,  48. 
Literature  : 

circulation  of  general  churcti,   62. 

in    Sunday  scliools,   92. 
Loans  of  Cliurch-Erection   Society,   120. 
Local  preachers,  see  Preachers,  local. 
Lord's   Prayer,   164. 
Lord's   Supper  : 

doctrine  of,  13. 

formula  for,   155. 

preparation    for,    31. 

presiding  elder  to  administer,  51. 
Louisiana  Conference,   boundary  of,   144. 
Lower  Wabash  Conference,  boundary  of,  144. 

Marriage  : 

formula  for,   160,   162. 

marriage   relation,   81. 

who  may  solemnize,   57. 
Members  of   Church  : 

acceptance  of  applicants,  20. 

amenability  of  those  having  certificates,  28. 

apportionments  to,  35. 

confession,   21. 

delinquent   members,    22. 

dismissal    of,   28. 

duties   of,   21. 

duty  of  obedience,  24. 

limit  of  certificate,   28. 

love  to  others,   21. 

means  of  grace,  21. 

obedience  to  government,  22. 

preacher's  responsibility   in  reception  of,  20. 

questions  to   applicants,   19. 

receiving  persons  from  other  churches,   20. 

reception  of,   19. 

seceding,   78. 

seekers,  20. 

support   of   general    interests,    23. 

transfer   of,    27. 
form   for,    166. 

trial  of,   25. 
Membership,  ministry,   and  government  of  the  Church,   19. 
Miami   Conference,   boundary  of,   144. 
Michigan    Conference,   boundary  of,   145. 
Ministry  of  Church  : 

annual-conference    preachers,     see     Preachers,     annual-con- 
ference. 


INDEX  183 

bishops,  see  Bishops. 

classification  of,  48. 

elders,   see   Elders. 

exhorters,   see   Exhorters. 

marriage,  who  may  solemnize,  57. 

preachers'   duties  in   general,   58. 

preparation   for,   74. 

presiding  elders,   see   Presiding  elders. 

quarterly-conference    preachers,    see    Preachers,     quarterly- 
conference. 

reception   of  preachers  from  other   churches,  48. 

trial   of  preachei's,   see  Trials. 
Minnesota  Conference,  boundary  of,   145. 
Mission   conferences,  organization  of,  55. 
Mission  districts,   105. 

boundaries   of,    151. 
Missionaries  : 

duties  of,  105. 

salaries  of,  105. 
Missionary  Association,  Woman's,  see  Woman's  Missionary  As- 
sociation. 
Missionary   Society,   Home,  Frontier,  and   Foreign  : 

bequests   to,    107. 
form   of,    168. 

board  of  directors,   104. 

branch    officers,    106. 

branch  societies,  106. 

branch  societies'  control  of  home  missions,  107. 

conference  conventions,   105. 

constitution,  103. 

contributions,  object  designated,   106. 

formation   of  self-supporting   conferences,   107. 

home  missions,   107. 

life  directors  and  members  of,   103. 

local  societies,   107. 

mission  districts,  105. 

officers,   103. 
duties  of,  104. 

Sabbath  schools  as  auxiliary  to,  91. 

thank-offering  for,   105. 

treasurers'    security,    107. 

under  control  of  General  Conference,  16. 

unoccupied   territory,    107. 
Missouri   Conference,   boundary  of,   145. 
Moral   reform,   79. 
Moving  the  preacher,   65. 

Neosho  Confeebnce^  boundary  of,   145. 


184  INDEX 

New  schools,  formation  of,  129. 

New  South,  boundary  of,  145. 

Nonconformity  to  the  world,   23. 

Northeast  Kansas  Conference,  boundary  of,   145. 

Northern  Illinois  Conference,   boundary  of,  146. 

North  Nebraska  Conference,   boundary  of,   146. 

Northwest  Kansas  Conference,  boundary  of,   146. 

Oaths,  80. 
Official   boards  : 

duties  of,  32. 

members  of,  31. 

revision  of  records   by,   32. 
Ohio  District,  bishops',  140. 
Ohio   German   Conference,    boundary   of,    147. 
OKlahoma  Conference,   boundary  of,   147. 
Old  people's  home,  42. 
Ontario  Conference,   boundary  of,   147. 
Orders,   election  to   elders',   51. 
Ordination  : 

of  elders,  50,  54. 
formula  for,  156. 
Oregon  Conference,  boundary  of,  147. 
Origin  of  the  Church,  7. 

Parsonages : 

abandoned,   84. 

building  of,   82. 

conditions  of  mortgages  and   liens,   84. 

conference  or  district  property,  85. 

division  of  interest  in,  85. 

duty  of  churches  to  provide,  65. 

real  estate,   85. 

sale  or  rent  of,  83. 

trustees  of,   82. 
Pastor  : 

collections   for,   30. 

duties  of,  see  Preachers,  itinerant, — duties  of,  61. 

duty  of  members  to  receive,  23. 

resignation  of,  60. 
Pastoral  charges,  61. 
Pastoral  visiting,  64. 

Pennsylvania  Conference,   boundary  of,   147. 
Poor,  care  of,   23. 
Preachers  : 

annual-conference  : 
accountability  of,  48. 
church  membership  of  preachers,  28. 


INDEX  185 


classification  of,  48. 

course  of  reading  for,   71. 

elders,  see  Elders. 

evangelists,  49,   64. 

examination  of,   45. 

exemption  from  examination,  47. 

expelled   preacher,    47. 

form  of   license,   167. 

how   received,  45. 

itinerants,   see   Preachers,   itinerant. 

license  of   women,    46. 

licentiates,   49. 

limit  of  transfer,   48. 

local  preachers,   17,  49. 

membership   in  church  required,   28. 

qualifications   of,   46. 

questions   to,   37. 

transfer  of,   47. 

trial  of,  56. 
general  duties,  58. 
preachers   not  to  trespass,   58. 
itinerant : 

circulation  of  literature,  62. 

classification  of,   48. 

collections  by,   63. 

defined,   49. 

dismissal  of  appointments,   63. 

duties  of,  61. 

in  the  transfer  of  members,  27. 

to   Sunday  schools,  90. 

to  the  poor,  23. 

employment  of  other  than   itinerants,   61. 

examination   by   annual   conference,   37. 

how  constituted,  60. 
.  membership   in   church   required,   28. 

moving  of,   65. 

pastoral   charges,   61. 

pastoral  visiting,  64. 

power  to   change,   53. 

records  of,   63. 

reports  of,   62,   170. 

resignation  of,   60. 

revision   of  records,   62. 

salaries   of,    64. 

stationing  of,   60. 
appeal   from,   61. 

stewards'    duties   regarding,   31. 

superannuated.  49,  65. 


186  INDEX 

supernumerary,   49. 

support  of,   22,   64. 

withdrawal   of,  60. 
local : 

defined,  49. 

voting  of,  17. 
quarterly  conference  : 

course  of  reading  for,  45,  69. 

examination  of,   44,   09. 

license  of,   43. 

recommendation  to  annual  conference,  45. 

renewal  of  license,  34,  45. 

required  to  hold  church  membership,  28. 

trial  of,  34,   56. 
restrictions   upon,    58. 
Presiding  elders  : 

duties  of,  52,  122. 

in  election  of  General   Conference  delegates,   39. 

regarding  incorporation  of  church  trustees,  52. 

regarding  young  people's  societies,   52. 
election  of,  51. 

power  to  dismiss   pastors,   53. 
power   to   exchange   pastors,    53. 
reports  of,   52. 
stationing  of,  51. 
support  of,  51. 
vacancies   filled,   52. 
Presiding-elder  steward,  30,  31. 
Printing   Establishment : 

election  of   ofiicers,    123. 
employment  of  time,  125. 
local  committee,   123. 
name,   123. 
proceeds  of,   125. 
publishing  agent,   124. 
trustees — election   and   duties,   123. 
under  control   of  General   Conference,    16. 
vacancies,   125. 
Property  : 

church-houses   and   parsonages,   82. 
of  General  Board  of  Church  Trustees,  86. 
title  to,  17. 
Publications,   Church,   125. 
Publishing  House,  see  Printing  Establishment. 

QUAETERLY    CONFERENCE : 

appeal   to   annual    conference,    35. 
appeals  and  trials,  34. 


INDEX  ib7 

* 

apportionment  to   members,   35. 

duties  and  powers  of,  33. 

estimating  committee  appointed   by  the,   35. 

examination  of  applicants  for  license,  44. 

general  steward  appointed  by,  34. 

licensing,  of  exhorters,  34,  43. 

of   preachers,   34,   43. 
members  of,   33. 
place  of  meeting,   35. 
quorum  for  transaction  of  business,  33. 
recommending  preachers  to  annual  conference,  34,   45. 
renewing  licenses,  34,  45. 
reviewing  acts  of  official  board,  33. 
trial  by,  56. 

Keal  estate  for  church  purposes,   85. 
Records  : 

church,  63. 

of  class-leaders,  30. 

of  trials,  27. 

revision  of,   62. 
Reorganization  of  classes,   62, 
Reports  : 

of  bishops,  55. 

of  pastors,  62,   170. 

of  presiding  elders,   52. 

of  proceedings  of  General  Conference  authorized,  125. 
Representation  in  the  General  Conference,  15,  38. 
Resignation  of  pastors,  60. 
Revision  of  church  records,   62. 

Sabbath  observance,   14,   22,   79. 
Sabbath-School    Board,    General : 

annual  collections  for,  88. 

annual-conference  relations,  90. 

appropriations,    89. 

Children's  Day,  to  provide  for,  88. 

composition  of,   87. 

constitution   of,   87. 

duties   and   powers,    88. 

object,   87. 

officers,  duties  of,  89. 

under   control   of  General   Conference,   16. 
Sabbath  schools,   87  : 

collections  for  missions  in,  91. 

constitution  for,  92. 

duties   of   superintendent,   91. 

duty  of  members  toward,  22. 


188  INDKX 

form  of  superintendent's  report,  170. 

organization   of,   90. 

pastor's  relation  to,  90. 

relation  to  missionary  work,  91. 
Sacraments  : 

baptism  and  the  Lords  Supper,  lo. 

formulas   for    administering,    153,    154,    155. 
Salaries  : 

of  bishops,  53. 

of   church-erection  secretary,   119. 

of  editors,   123. 

of  missionaries,  65,   105. 

of  missionary   secretary  and  treasurer,   104. 

of  pastors,   64. 

of  presiding  elders,   51. 

of  publishing  agent,   123. 
Sandusky  Conference,  boundary  of,  148. 
Seceding  members,  78. 
Secret  combinations  : 

constitutional    provision,    17. 

law  on,  80. 
Seci-etaries  of  annual  conferences,   36. 
Security   of   missionary   treasurers,    107. 
Seekers,  20. 

Seminary   graduates,   74. 
Sermons,   special  : 

by  bishops,  55. 

on  education,   129. 

on  missions,  63. 
Singing,  21. 
Slavery,  17,  80. 

Southeast  Ohio  Conference,   boundary  of,   148. 
Special  rules,  79. 

St.  Joseph  Conference,  boundary  of,  149. 
Stationing  committee  : 

appeal   from,  61. 

for   bishops,    53. 

for   pastors,    60. 

for  presiding  elders,   51. 

time   of   reporting,    61. 
Stewards,   see   Class-stev\'ards,   General   steward,    and   Presiding- 

elder  steward. 
Superannuated   ministers  : 

itinerants,  49. 

support  of,   65. 
Superintendents  of   Sunday  schools  : 

dismissal   of,   91. 

elected  by  the  school,   90. 


INDEX  189 

election  by  quarterly  conference  provided  for,  91. 
Supernumerary    ministers,    49. 
Suspension  of  preachers,   56,  57. 

Teacheks  of   Sunday   schools,  98. 
Tellers  : 

annual-conference,    89. 
local,  89,  40. 
Temperance,    79. 
Thank-offering,    105. 

Thanksgiving  days,  bishops  may  appoint,  54. 
Tobacco,  44,  47,  79. 
Transfers  : 

of  members,   27,    166. 
of    preachers,    47,    168. 
limit  of   transfer,   48. 
Treasurer  : 

of  local  church,  32,  88. 
of  Missionai-y  Society  : 
duties  of,  104. 
security  of,   107. 
Trials  : 

of   exhorters,    34,   56. 
of  members,   25,  26,   27. 
for  disobedience,  26. 
for  immoral  conduct,  25. 
going  to  law  forbidden,  27. 
in  disputes,   26. 
order  in,   27. 
personal   trespass,  25. 
president  at,  57,  62. 
records  of,   27. 
of  preachers,  56. 

annual-conference,   56. 
quarterly-conference,   34,   56. 
Trustees  : 

of  churches,   82. 

of    Printing    Establishment,    123. 

of  the  United   Brethren  in   Christ,   86. 

of    Woman's    Missionary    Association,    110. 

Union,  necessity  of,  24. 
Union  Biblical  Seminary  : 

annual   collections   for,   134. 

business  manager  of,   133. 

directors   of,    132,    133. 

endowment  funds,  134. 


190  INDEX 

entrance  examination,   135. 

obligation  of  faculty,  134. 

officers   of,   132. 

postgraduate  studies,   135. 

under  control  of  General   Conference,  16. 
United  Brethren  Publishing  House,  see  Printing  Establishment. 
Upper  Wabash  Conference,  boundary  of,  149. 

Vacancies  : 

in  bishopric,  55. 

in   pastoral   charges,   61. 

in  presiding  elders'  districts,  52. 
Vacant   church-houses   and   parsonages,   84. 
Virginia  Conference,  boundary  of,   149. 
Visiting  by  pastors,   04. 

War,  81. 

West   Africa   Conference,   boundary  of,    150. 

West  District,  bishops',   140. 

West  Nebraska   Conference,   boundary  of,   150. 

West   Tennessee   Conference,    boundary   of,    149. 

West   Virginia  Conference,   boundary  of,   150. 

White  River  Conference,  boundary  of,  150. 

Wisconsin  Conference,   boundary  of,  151. 

Withdrawal   of  members,   form  for,   166. 

Women's  Aid   Society,   constitution,   115. 

Woman's    Missionary    Association : 

branch  constitution,   111. 

branch   societies,  111. 

by-laws,   109. 

form   of   bequest.   111,    169. 

incorporation,    109. 

local   constitution,    113. 

management,   110. 

membership,    109. 

relation  to  Church,  111. 
Women,  granting  license  to,  46. 

Young  People's  Christian  Union  : 
branch  unions,  97. 
constitution  of,  95. 
conventions,   97. 
duties  of  pastors  toward,  62. 
duties  of  presiding  elders  toward,  52. 
Junior  society  : 
constitution,   98. 
pledge,   99. 


INDEX 

organization,    94. 

presidents  of,  members  of  quarterly  conference,  33. 

reports  to   General   Conference,  94. 

reports  to  quarterly  conference,  94,  171. 

Watchtcord,  94. 

young  members  to  unite  with,  22. 


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